It seems as if things couldn't get any worse for the New York Mets while they attempt to get back on track and secure their position in the postseason.
The two months since the MLB trade deadline have been a nightmare for the Mets, and they haven't been able to get any momentum going.
It's been bizarre for starting pitcher Kodai Senga. The once Cy Young Award candidate this season has found himself in the minor leagues after some uncharacteristic starts since returning from the injured list.
MORE: Mets make roster move, swap bullpen arms before game vs. Phillies
Kodai Senga set to begin minor league assignment on Friday
Kodai Senga's 6.56 ERA over his last eight starts, including giving up seven hits and five earned runs in 4.2 innings in his last start against the Miami Marlins on Aug. 31, was enough for the Mets to option him to the minors in hopes of getting him right before the postseason.
MLB.com's Anthony DiComo posted to social media, saying that Senga will make his first minor league start on Friday.
The hope is to get Senga back in the same groove he had before suffering a Grade 1 hamstring strain during a start against the Washington Nationals on June 12. He missed nearly a month of action and hasn't looked as dominant since returning on July 11.
Senga is in his third year of a five-year, $75 million contract he signed after spending 11 seasons in the Nippon Professional Baseball (NPB) league in Japan.
While riding a six-game losing streak, the Mets' NL Wild Card spot is on the verge of getting overruled by both the San Francisco Giants and the Cincinnati Reds, who are just 1.5 games behind New York for the last spot.
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