Paul Blackburn set for return to comfort zone as Kodai Senga officially hits injured list

Join Post Sports+ for exciting subscriber-only features, including real-time texting with Mike Puma about the inside buzz on the Mets.The severity of Kodai Senga’s right hamstring injury was still unclear to Mets officials late Friday afternoon, but the team had already moved ahead in filling his rotation spot.Paul Blackburn, the team’s de facto sixth starter, will shift from the bullpen to start Wednesday in Atlanta, according to manager Carlos Mendoza.

Senga’s absence will mark the first missed start by one of the five starters who began the season in the Mets’ rotation.Senga strained his right hamstring Thursday covering first base and a day later was placed on the injured list, with reliever Max Kranick recalled from Triple-A Syracuse.Senga was set for a late afternoon MRI exam before the Mets’ series opener against the Rays at Citi Field.Blackburn, who had last pitched Sunday in Colorado — where he recorded a four-inning save — was available from the bullpen for the series opener.Mendoza said Blackburn, if he wasn’t used Friday, could potentially be available in relief Saturday, but not beyond that as he rests for his scheduled start.Blackburn said it “sucks” to have lost Senga, given the manner in which the right-hander was pitching — he leads MLB with a 1.47 ERA in 13 starts — but Blackburn appreciates the opportunity to rejoin the rotation.“That is kind of where my comfort zone lies,” Blackburn told The Post.“It is what I have done my whole career.

I have my whole routine set for that.”Blackburn returned from the injured list to start against the Dodgers on June 2, when he pitched five scoreless innings as part of a six-man rotation.Blackburn was placed in the bullpen after that outing.“Every team will go through [injuries], but I feel we are equipped to handle it,” manager Carlos Mendoza said.“We have already got a guy like [Blackburn] on the active roster and we have got more guys that are close to joining the t...