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Mets' Kodai Senga Earns First Save Amid Fan Throw Mishap

8/12/2026

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Summary

Senga Records Save

New York Mets pitcher Kodai Senga recorded his first career save on Monday at Truist Park versus the Atlanta Braves.
Rookie outfielder Carson Benge threw the final out to a fan instead of to Senga, who watched it roll into the stands and said he never got it back.
Benge, the No. 19 draft pick, is batting .270/.333/.409 with 13 homers and 47 RBIs in 114 games.

Summary

Senga Tests Bullpen

The Mets dealt relievers Luke Weaver, Brooks Raley, Huascar Brazobán and A.J. Minter in July.
Interim manager Andy Green placed former starter Kodai Senga in a high-leverage bullpen slot.
The club views Senga’s experiment as a preview of the 2027 bullpen if Devin Williams’ shoulder issue proves long-term.
Green plans to test Senga on consecutive days, relying on his 99 mph fastball and forkball as a two-pitch formula.

History

Historical Context

After Hideo Nomo used a contract loophole to join the Los Angeles Dodgers in February 1995, becoming the first Japanese-born regular in MLB since Masanori Murakami (1964), his 236 strikeouts that season spurred the 1998 posting system that later brought reliever Kazuhiro Sasaki, who excelled with the Seattle Mariners. The New York Mets now look to that legacy as they reshape their bullpen.

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Senga Records Save

New York Mets pitcher Kodai Senga recorded his first career save on Monday at Truist Park versus the Atlanta Braves.
Rookie outfielder Carson Benge threw the final out to a fan instead of to Senga, who watched it roll into the stands and said he never got it back.
Benge, the No. 19 draft pick, is batting .270/.333/.409 with 13 homers and 47 RBIs in 114 games.

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