Mets’ Kodai Senga selected as 2023 All-Star Game replacement
Major League Baseball announced that Mets rookie right-hander Kodai Senga has been selected to the 2023 National League All-Star team.
Senga will replace Cubs starter Marcus Stroman on the roster after the former Mets hurler pulled out to rest.
"Very surprised, but I know it's an honor to be selected," Senga said through the team interpreter on Saturday.
The 30-year-old said he was surprised because he wasn't initially selected so he didn't think anything of it, so the selection caught him by surprise. His inclusion does give the baseball world a chance to see him face off against Shohei Ohtani.
When asked about potentially facing Ohani, Senga was unabashedly honest.
"If I could choose, I would choose not to face him, but I know the fans in Japan would love it. I know the fans here would love it, too," he said. "Whatever happens, if he gets a hit off of me or I get him out, I just want to enjoy the moment."
Senga has been dominant of late for the Mets. In his last three starts, Senga has given up a total of five runs over 18.1 innings. He’s also coming off the best start of the season, going eight innings for the first time while striking out 12 batters, which tied a career-high, on July 5 against the Arizona Diamondbacks.
Overall, Senga has a 7-5 record with a 3.31 ERA and 1.28 WHIP. He also has 113 strikeouts in 89.2 innings pitched. However, Senga knows that he can improve and he looks forward to doing so in the second half of the MLB year.
"I think, reflecting back, I know I've been a little bit inconsistent doing my job as a starter," Senga said when asked about evaluating his first half. "I've let a lot of walks and guys on base. Going into the second half, those are things I want to work on."
Senga will join Pete Alonso as the Mets' representatives at this year’s All-Star Game, so far.
MLB also announced that Alex Cobb will replace Bryce Elder, Craig Kimbrel will take Devin Williams’ spot and Corbin Burnes will join the National League in place of Spencer Strider.
The 2023 MLB All-Star Game will take place Tuesday, July 11.
