The New York Mets have patiently waited for righty Kodai Senga to provide them with quality performances. They hoped that he could return to being an All-Star-caliber starter. Yet, the Japanese product has continued to fall short of those expectations. In his last outing, he surrendered seven earned runs, three hits, and five walks in less than three innings. This resulted in a 9-6 loss to the Chicago Cubs. As a result, the Mets reassigned Senga to the relief unit.
Kodai Senga Falters Again
After a lackluster start to the season, Senga was given another opportunity to bounce back. Against the Cubs in the series opener, he struck out two batters to start the first. As he began to regain some confidence, the righty walked Seiya Suzuki and put two more runners on base to start the second.
With the bases loaded, Kodai Senga struck out Nico Hoerner, only to walk another batter. Dansby Swanson then hit a sacrifice fly to score another run. Moments later, Pete Crow-Armstrong hit a grand slam off Senga.
In the third, Senga walked Suzuki again, before his outing ended after less than three innings. He finished with three hits, seven earned runs, five walks, and six strikeouts. He is 0-6 with a 10.08 ERA and -1.3 WAR in 2026.
“Senga goes out there in the first and that’s the guy you hope that he’s capable of being, blowing the fastball by people. Then, the second he gets away from it, and we’re sitting there in the dugout kind of asking ourselves, ‘What’s going on here,’” manager Carlos Mendoza said.
“It happens so quick, it’s hard to explain. Having outings like this is not going to cut it. I’m pretty sure we’re going to have decisions, but that ain’t gonna do it. We need better. They know that, but we get to a point where you have to go out there and earn it.”
Change of Scenery
Ahead of Wednesday’s double header, Mendoza announced that Senga has been moved to the relief unit. They intend to use him in a longer-term relief role until he is able to find success. The Mets used this strategy to help David Peterson get out of a down stretch. The veteran southpaw showed improvement in a long-term relief role.
The hope with Kodai Senga is for him to succeed in the same manner, with less pressure on him. Still, the Mets are in need of timely results due to the state of their pitching staff. They are hoping that Senga can turn around his season and avoid having to option him to the minor leagues.
More New York Mets Articles
More MLB Articles
Main Photo:
Embed from Getty Images
- Category
-
New York Mets
