MLB playoff news: Kodai Senga starts Game 1 of the NLDS for the Mets

Mets manager Carlos Mendoza announced this afternoon that Kodai Senga will start Game 1 of the NLDS against the Phillies tomorrow afternoon. Although the team had reportedly considered adding Senga to the series' roster, the news still comes as a big – and pleasant – surprise.

The 31-year-old pitcher has only one major league start to his name so far this year, as he returned from an extended absence in late July to face the Braves. He was dominant in that start, but suffered a calf injury that cost him the remainder of the regular season. There wasn't necessarily any expectation that he would even make it back to the mound this year.

In late September, Senga made a rehab appearance for Triple-A Syracuse. He pitched just one inning in the outing and experienced triceps pain afterward. Mendoza said this afternoon that Senga had increased his workload in Florida, and when asked how many pitches or innings the Mets expected him to pitch, he was right to be a little cautious.

Mendoza said the Mets have other pitchers who can follow Senga tomorrow if needed. And he announced that Luis Severino will start Game 2 on Sunday.