Kodai Senga gets NLCS Game 1 start against Dodgers

NEW YORK — Kodai Senga will start Game 1 of the National League Championship Series for the Mets, marking his third start of a year marred by injury, manager Carlos Mendoza announced on Saturday.

Senga, who came off the injured list to pitch Game 1 of the NL Division Series, still isn’t fully stretched out as a starter. He should be good for around three innings and 45-50 pitches in this one, with various bullpen options filling in behind him. The Mets will enter the NLCS with a fully rested relief corps, including typical starters Tylor Megill and David Peterson.

The Mets’ top starter last year, Senga missed all but one start in the regular season due to shoulder, triceps and calf injuries. He allowed a leadoff homer to Kyle Schwarber in NLDS Game 1, but no other damage in two innings.

Sean Manaea will start NLCS Game 2. The Mets have yet to announce the rest of their starters, but Luis Severino and Jose Quintana are likely to pitch Games 3 and 4 in some order.