The Mets are looking ahead to 2027, and that means every move between now and then matters a little more. The outfield already looks spoken for with Juan Soto, A.J.
Ewing, and Carson Benge, but the pitching side is still very much in flux. Nolan McLean and Christian Scott are expected to lead the rotation, and the bullpen needs a major reset after the club dealt four relievers at the trade deadline.
That backdrop is what makes Kodai Senga’s new assignment worth watching. Instead of treating him strictly as a starter, the Mets have shifted him into a high-leverage bullpen role, a notable change for a pitcher many have wanted to see moved on from in Queens.
The decision followed an emergency outing on July 31, when Freddy Peralta was scratched from what was likely his final start in Queens against the Marlins. The Mets turned to Senga, and he delivered four scoreless innings with four strikeouts before the outing unraveled in the fifth, when he allowed three earned runs and walked two batters.
Even after that, the Mets did not send him back into the rotation. Robert Stock got the next look three days later, pitched well enough, and now has another chance coming this weekend.
Senga’s starting numbers explain why the club is willing to try something different. In eight starts this season, he has a 9.66 ERA, with 38 strikeouts and 24 walks.
There was also outside interest at the deadline, with the Padres checking in on him, but the Mets stayed put and chose this route instead. Senga, for his part, made it clear how he felt about the change.
"I made sure to tell the team that I signed as a starter, and starting is something that I would like to do," said Senga to reporters following the decision (h/t SNY Mets). My results and stats don't show that I deserve a starting-pitching rotation spot.
Whatever position I'm put in, whatever role I'm given, I'm happy to do so and perform. I'll continue to do my best there."
"I made sure to tell the team that I signed as a starter and starting is something that I would like to do. I also understand that my results, my stats, don't show that I necessarily deserve a starting pitching rotation spot. Whatever position I'm put in, whatever role I'm given,… pic.twitter.com/v1ccKvO0oU
From a baseball standpoint, the fit is easy to understand. Senga’s fastball plays, and his ghost pitch has become one of the most dangerous secondary weapons in the game.
The forkball can freeze hitters, which gives him a natural edge in short bursts late in games. The issue hasn’t been getting through the first inning.
It’s been the stretch in the middle of his outings, where hitters have found a way to settle in.
As a starter this year, opponents hit .224 with a .775 OPS the first time through the order. By the second plate appearance, those numbers jumped to a .327 OBA and a 1.140 OPS.
So far, the bullpen version has looked sharp. Senga has thrown two scoreless innings in two separate appearances and has struck out two batters. On Wednesday, he also touched 100 mph for the first time in his career, blowing a fastball past Nathaniel Lowe for a strikeout.
Kodai Senga hit 100 MPH for the first time in his career!If he’s sitting 97-98 with the heater & the ghostfork to play off of it he could be a real weapon in leverage for the MetsCommand still something to monitor down the stretch in his new role pic.twitter.com/jum1DOmYcm
With Luke Weaver gone, the Mets can use Senga as a setup arm and keep evaluating whether this is a real solution. Trading him would be difficult anyway, especially with $14 million on the books for 2027.
That same 2027 picture is still murky in the bullpen. Devin Williams is the only reliever who truly locks things down. If Senga keeps trending the right way, the Mets may be able to count on him there too in the final year of his contract.
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