Mets send Kodai Senga to minors in stunning fall for ace

CINCINNATI — For the first time since arriving stateside, a healthy Kodai Senga will be a minor leaguer.

Senga has consented to be optioned to Triple-A Syracuse, the Mets announced Friday, leaving the major league team during a playoff chase so he can attempt to regain his form.

The 32-year-old, third-year Met could have declined the move, as stipulated in his contract, but he has accepted the demotion amid a brutal stretch in which he owns a 6.56 ERA in his past eight games.

Sending Senga down now for the Mets, who have about three and a half weeks left to play, does allow time for Senga to prove he has fixed what had ailed him in time for a promotion later this month.

The Mets will call up Brandon Sproat to start Sunday, essentially replacing Senga as a sixth starter.

In other transactions before beginning a series at Great American Ball Park, the Mets activated the just-claimed righty Wander Suero, optioned Hayden Senger and officially returned Francisco Alvarez from his rehab assignment.