Mets Move Kodai Senga to Bullpen Amid Struggles

The Mets announced Kodai Senga will move from the rotation to the bullpen. Manager Carlos Mendoza confirmed the change after Senga’s June 23 start against the Chicago Cubs, where he gave up seven earned runs in 3  2/3 innings.

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Since returning from lumbar spine inflammation on June 16, Senga is 0-2 with a 12.91 ERA and a 1.91 WHIP in 7.2 innings. His season totals are 0-6, 10.08 ERA over seven starts, 22 walks in 27  2/3 innings and under four innings per start. In his June 23 start, his second after the injury, he issued five walks and allowed seven earned runs.

Mets make big Kodai Senga decision

Senga signed a five-year, $75 million contract before the 2023 season, worth $15 million per year. The deal includes a conditional 2028 option that would trigger if he undergoes Tommy John surgery or an elbow injury sidelining him >=130 days—conditions not yet met. Injuries this year have limited him to 27.2 innings, including lumbar spine inflammation, ulnar-nerve irritation, and a back injury that cost him all of May.

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Mendoza emphasized that performance is essential and that the team cannot tolerate outings like Senga’s recent start, adding the club needs better production from the rotation. President David Stearns described the rotation as a turn-by-turn evaluation and stressed the need for consistent results. The team noted a thin rotation, with Clay Holmes, Christian Scott and Tylor Megill on the injured list, and highlighted Scott’s expected return this week.

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The move leaves the Mets without a starter replacement. Left-hander David Peterson, who allowed five runs in four innings on June 21, holds a 6.09 ERA over 68 innings and has oscillated between rotation and bullpen. Nolan McLean will start the first game of Wednesday’s doubleheader and Sean Manaea will start the nightcap. A return by Christian Scott could restore a regular starter and ease bullpen pressure.

Dansby Swanson and Kodai Senga's 0-6 start deepens Mets doubts

• “Performance matters here, and having outings like this are not going to cut it.” — Carlos Mendoza, manager

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• “I’m pretty sure we’re going to have a decision, but that ain’t going to do it. We need better.” — Carlos Mendoza, manager

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• “Performing matters here and having outings like these are not gonna cut it.” — Carlos Mendoza, manager

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• “In terms of our rotation, it’s a turn-by-turn evaluation, and we do need to see production there.” — David Stearns, president

Dansby Swanson and Kodai Senga's 0-6 start deepens Mets doubts

Christian Scott is slated to return this weekend against the Philadelphia Phillies, providing a potential starter to fill Senga’s spot. The Mets will need to decide how to use Senga in the bullpen while evaluating whether other starters such as David Peterson can regain consistency. Scott’s timing will shape the Mets’ rotation for the rest of the season.

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