Kodai Senga gets first MLB save in place of injured closer but Mets teammate costs him keepsake ball

ATLANTA — The Mets didn’t trade Devin Williams at last week’s deadline but will still have to navigate the late innings — at least for a few weeks — without him. An already largely untested bullpen, which subtracted four key veterans before the deadline, has another hole to fill after Williams was placed on the injured list Monday with a right shoulder strain. The right-hander had arm fatigue last week before returning to pitch Friday.  Join Post Sports+ for exciting subscriber-only features, including real-time texting with Mike Puma about the inside buzz on the Mets.“He has been dealing with a little bit of shoulder fatigue for a little while now, something he felt confident he could pitch through,” interim manager Andy Green said.

“You appreciate the warrior mentality to step on the mound and continue to compete for us, but after the last outing it just made sense for us to get an MRI and get it checked.” Enter Kodai Senga, who assumed the closer’s role in the Mets’ 8-5 victory over the Braves on Monday. Senga pitched a scoreless ninth and wanted the baseball as a keepsake from his first MLB save, except that Carson Benge — who caught the final out — had already thrown it to a fan. “I think Bengie is trying to tell me that I should have just punched him out,” said Senga, who struck out the previous two batters in the inning. Williams, who arrived on a three-year contract worth $51 million, has pitched to a 4.66 ERA with 16 saves in 42 appearances this season.In his outing Friday against the Pirates, he surrendered two earned runs on three hits in recording the save. Williams’ strain, according to Green, isn’t considered serious and the Mets are hopeful he will return this season.

Green placed a timeline of a “few weeks” for Williams to potentially begin throwing again. “I know he wants to compete for us again before the year is out,” Green said.“He wants to get on the mound and finish strong.” The IL s...