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.

New York Mets right-hander Kodai Senga was placed on the injured list on Friday after he exited Thursday's win against the Washington Nationals in the sixth inning after straining

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.”