Disappointing Mets right-hander Kodai Senga has been demoted to the bullpen after his ERA soared to 10.08 during Tuesday’s 9-6 loss to the visiting Chicago Cubs.
Senga is 0-6 in seven starts and has served up nine homers in just 27 2/3 innings. He has struck out 34 and walked 22.
Senga, 33, gave up seven runs and three hits (two homers) in 3 2/3 innings against the Cubs. He struck out six and walked five.
“Just like some of the other guys, he could be pitching like multi-inning guys,” New York manager Carlos Mendoza said before a Wednesday doubleheader against the Cubs. “He could be pitching high-leverage situations if we need him to. The game will dictate. We saw what he’s capable of doing. We’ve seen flashes of it.”
All 59 of Senga’s regular-season appearances have been in a starting role since he joined the Mets in 2023. His lone relief outing came in Game 6 of the 2024 National League Championship Series. He also served twice as an opener that postseason and went 0-1 with a 12.60 ERA.
“We told him, ‘You pitch an inning, you gotta be ready to go the next day,'” Mendoza said. “I know there’s going to be an adjustment here. We’ll take care of him, obviously, but he’s one of those guys in the bullpen.”
Senga was National League Rookie of the Year runner-up in 2023 when he went 12-7 with a 2.98 ERA in 29 starts after leaving Japan to join the Mets.
Senga made just one regular-season appearance in 2024 due to shoulder and calf injuries. He bounced back last season to go 7-6 with a 3.02 ERA in 22 starts in 2025. Earlier this season, Senga missed seven-plus weeks with a back injury.
Also, star outfielder Juan Soto (back stiffness) wasn’t in the starting lineup for Wednesday’s doubleheader after leaving Tuesday’s game after four innings.
Standout shortstop Francisco Lindor (left calf strain) is slated to be activated prior to Game 2. He last played on April 22. Lindor is batting .226 with two homers and five RBIs in 24 games.
