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Mets Shift Kodai Senga to Bullpen After Struggles in Rotation
The New York Mets have moved right‑hander Kodai Senga from the starting rotation to the bullpen ahead of Wednesday’s doubleheader against the Chicago Cubs, a decision that signals a fresh start for the Japanese‑born pitcher.
In a pre‑game press conference, manager Carlos Mendoza explained that the change is meant to give Senga a chance to thrive in a variety of relief roles—multi‑inning stints or high‑leverage appearances on consecutive days—while reducing the strain on his lumbar spine. "We saw what he’s capable of doing," Mendoza said. "We’ve seen flashes of it. You see the first inning yesterday, and he comes out throwing 98, 99, just throwing the fastball by people." The comments underscore the Mets’ willingness to re‑package Senga’s power into a more controlled environment.
Senga’s 2026 season has been uneven. Since returning from the injured list on June 16 with lumbar spine inflammation, he has posted a 10.08 earned‑run average over seven starts, allowing 11 runs in 7.2 innings pitched. Tuesday’s outing was no different: he struck out two batters in the first inning while topping 98.9 mph, but the Cubs erupted for five runs in the second and two more in the fourth, resulting in a 7‑2 loss.
"We saw what he’s capable of doing," Mendoza repeated, noting that the Mets have observed Senga’s velocity and command. "You see the first inning yesterday, and he comes out throwing 98, 99, just throwing the fastball by people." The statement highlights the organization’s belief that Senga’s high‑velocity bursts can be leveraged more effectively in a relief setting.
The rotation for the rest of the season now features Christian Scott, Freddy Peralta, Nolan McLean, Sean Manaea, and David Peterson. Scott is slated to return after a right‑hip impingement stint on the IL, so Senga’s next scheduled start in the rotation is likely after that. The bullpen move could allow him to pitch a few innings at a time, easing the workload on his back and giving him a better chance to regain form.
Senga made his MLB debut in 2023 after a successful career in Japan’s Nippon Professional Baseball, and his power pitching earned him an All‑Star nod in 2025. The Mets’ front office has expressed confidence that if he can replicate the high‑velocity first inning he delivered on Tuesday a few times per week, he could become a valuable piece of the 2026 pitching staff.
The decision arrives amid a broader conversation about bullpen usage for the Mets. The team has been experimenting with different relief roles, and moving Senga to the bullpen aligns with the organization’s strategy to maximize arm health and performance.
As the Mets head into the remainder of the season, the focus will be on how Senga adapts to his new role and whether the bullpen can absorb his pitching style. The organization will also monitor Christian Scott’s recovery and the overall health of the rotation.
The Mets will face the Cubs again in a series that includes a split doubleheader on Wednesday. The outcome of the series and Senga’s performance in relief will be closely watched by fans and analysts alike.
In summary, the Mets have shifted Kodai Senga from the starting rotation to the bullpen in an effort to harness his velocity in a more controlled environment. The move follows a difficult stretch of starts and a recent injury, and it will be a test of whether the pitcher can return to the form that made him a promising arm in 2026.
In a pre‑game press conference, manager Carlos Mendoza explained that the change is meant to give Senga a chance to thrive in a variety of relief roles—multi‑inning stints or high‑leverage appearances on consecutive days—while reducing the strain on his lumbar spine. "We saw what he’s capable of doing," Mendoza said. "We’ve seen flashes of it. You see the first inning yesterday, and he comes out throwing 98, 99, just throwing the fastball by people." The comments underscore the Mets’ willingness to re‑package Senga’s power into a more controlled environment.
Senga’s 2026 season has been uneven. Since returning from the injured list on June 16 with lumbar spine inflammation, he has posted a 10.08 earned‑run average over seven starts, allowing 11 runs in 7.2 innings pitched. Tuesday’s outing was no different: he struck out two batters in the first inning while topping 98.9 mph, but the Cubs erupted for five runs in the second and two more in the fourth, resulting in a 7‑2 loss.
"We saw what he’s capable of doing," Mendoza repeated, noting that the Mets have observed Senga’s velocity and command. "You see the first inning yesterday, and he comes out throwing 98, 99, just throwing the fastball by people." The statement highlights the organization’s belief that Senga’s high‑velocity bursts can be leveraged more effectively in a relief setting.
The rotation for the rest of the season now features Christian Scott, Freddy Peralta, Nolan McLean, Sean Manaea, and David Peterson. Scott is slated to return after a right‑hip impingement stint on the IL, so Senga’s next scheduled start in the rotation is likely after that. The bullpen move could allow him to pitch a few innings at a time, easing the workload on his back and giving him a better chance to regain form.
Senga made his MLB debut in 2023 after a successful career in Japan’s Nippon Professional Baseball, and his power pitching earned him an All‑Star nod in 2025. The Mets’ front office has expressed confidence that if he can replicate the high‑velocity first inning he delivered on Tuesday a few times per week, he could become a valuable piece of the 2026 pitching staff.
The decision arrives amid a broader conversation about bullpen usage for the Mets. The team has been experimenting with different relief roles, and moving Senga to the bullpen aligns with the organization’s strategy to maximize arm health and performance.
As the Mets head into the remainder of the season, the focus will be on how Senga adapts to his new role and whether the bullpen can absorb his pitching style. The organization will also monitor Christian Scott’s recovery and the overall health of the rotation.
The Mets will face the Cubs again in a series that includes a split doubleheader on Wednesday. The outcome of the series and Senga’s performance in relief will be closely watched by fans and analysts alike.
In summary, the Mets have shifted Kodai Senga from the starting rotation to the bullpen in an effort to harness his velocity in a more controlled environment. The move follows a difficult stretch of starts and a recent injury, and it will be a test of whether the pitcher can return to the form that made him a promising arm in 2026.
