The New York Mets are making a significant change with Kodai Senga. After another rough outing Tuesday night where he gave up seven runs in a 9-6 loss to the Chicago Cubs, the team is moving him to the bullpen.
Manager Carlos Mendoza confirmed the decision before Wednesday’s doubleheader against the Cubs. “He’s going to the bullpen,” Mendoza said, via SNY. “We talked to him this morning. He’s going to be pitching out of the bullpen.”
Mendoza didn’t lock Senga into a specific role. He said the right-hander could pitch multiple innings or even high-leverage spots. The vagueness suggests the team is still figuring out how to use him effectively, or maybe they’re just keeping options open.
Senga’s numbers this season have been brutal. In seven starts, he’s posted a 10.08 ERA. For a guy who signed a five-year, $75 million deal before 2023 and was supposed to be a frontline starter, that’s not even close to good enough. He’s dealt with injuries this season too, and that’s probably part of the problem. But at some point, results matter more than excuses.
The question now is whether this is temporary or permanent. Senga has shown he can be dominant. In 2023 he had a 2.98 ERA and finished seventh in Cy Young voting. The stuff is still there. The command and health have not been. If he can find some rhythm out of the bullpen, maybe he works his way back into the rotation. But the Mets need wins now, and they can’t keep running him out there every fifth day hoping he figures it out.
Lindor Returns, Soto Could Be Headed the Other Way
In other Mets news, Francisco Lindor is expected to come off the injured list Wednesday. That’s a huge lift for a lineup that’s struggled to score consistently.
But there’s also concern about Juan Soto. He left Wednesday’s game with an injury, and according to ESPN’s Jorge Castillo, an IL stint is on the table. No official decision yet. If Soto goes down, it’s a massive blow. The Mets just traded for him this offseason, and he’s been one of the few consistently productive bats in the lineup.
The doubleheader games are set for 1:10 PM and 7:10 PM Eastern. Two games, two very different narratives. One star returns. Another might be leaving.
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