Kodai Senga expected to start season on injured list with shoulder strain

The Mets likely won’t have their ace for Opening Day.

In the first big blow of camp, starter Kodai Senga has been diagnosed with a shoulder strain, according to President of Baseball Operations David Stearns.

Senga is expected to begin the season on the injured list.

This is a tough blow for a Mets team that lacks front-end pitching and opens the path for Jose Quintana to possibly start against Milwaukee on Opening Day on March 28.

Senga, 31, went 12-7 with a 2.98 ERA last year while making 29 starts to finish second in NL Rookie of the Year voting.