However, it's hard not to call Kodai Senga an ace, given that his 1.47 ERA is the best in all of baseball right now. But in that case, it initially seemed like the Mets might be without their ace for some time after Senga suffered a hamstring strain while covering first base in the sixth inning of the Mets' June 12 game against the Washington Nationals.

Mets ace Kodai Senga will be out for some time due to the hamstring injury he suffered last week while trying to cover first base.

If Senga lands on the injured list for an extended period of time, the Mets will likely slide Paul Blackburn back into the rotation and call up reliever. When asked about using Blackburn, Mendoza said the right-hander will be available out of the bullpen for their next series against the Rays, and that they “will go from there.”