Mets skip Kodai Senga to avoid him getting short-rest start

CHICAGO – Kodai Senga knew all along he wasn’t going to pitch Tuesday.

Because the Mets had never officially named a starter for the series opener against the Cubs, there was an assumption in some quarters the Japanese right-hander, aided already by having Monday off, would remain in his rotation turn and start Tuesday night.

That was dispelled when the Mets released their game notes to reporters on Tuesday.

Senga instead will be pitching on six days’ rest when he gets the ball at Wrigley Field on Wednesday.

Tylor Megill flip-flopped with Senga and started Tuesday, taking the loss as the Cubs beat the Mets, 7-2.

The switch will allow Senga to avoid pitching on four days’ rest for the first time in his career when the Mets play at Colorado on Sunday.

Megill is scheduled for that start and Senga would open the next homestand on Tuesday, following another Monday off.

Senga said he understands the Mets’ reasons for the extra caution as he adjusts to pitching in a five-man rotation for the first time.

“It’s a new environment — everything is new,” Senga said through his interpreter. “So having those extra days helps and I appreciate knowing that they think about me and give me those extra days and because I am getting those extra days I need to prepare as much as I can so I don’t go down with an injury and I make sure I do the job.”

Senga said he eventually expects to pitch on what is considered normal rest for a major league pitcher.

“I know that pitching on every fifth day is considered normal here, so when the time comes, when they tell me to, I just need to be ready to do that,” Senga said.

Gary Sanchez, who made his debut for the Mets in Game 1 of a doubleheader on Sunday, received the start at catcher Tuesday as manager Buck Showalter looks to keep the veteran involved.

Sanchez went 0-for-3 and was charged with a passed ball.

Showalter, who plans to start Francisco Alvarez behind the plate on Wednesday and Thursday, said he didn’t want Sanchez on the bench for the entire series.

Showalter also cited the physical beating Alvarez has taken behind the plate recently on backswings.

Tim Locastro will undergo surgery to repair a torn thumb ligament.

The Mets placed the outfielder on the 60-day injured list last week.

Locastro was on a rehab assignment for Triple-A Syracuse when he sustained the injury.

Showalter celebrated his 67th birthday Tuesday.