Kodai Senga‘s continued struggles have cost him his spot in the rotation.
New York Mets manager Carlos Mendoza announced Wednesday that the right-hander will be moved to the bullpen.
Senga allowed seven runs over 3 2/3 innings against the Chicago Cubs on Tuesday. He also issued a season-high five walks and two home runs.
“Performing matters here, and having outings like these are not gonna cut it,” Mendoza said postgame Tuesday, according to Tyler Kepner of The Athletic.
Senga’s allowed at least four runs in five of his last six starts. His 10.09 ERA, 1.92 WHIP, and 7.48 FIP this season are easily the worst marks of his five-year MLB career.
In 2023, Senga was an All-Star and finished second in NL Rookie of the Year voting, posting a 2.98 ERA in 166 1/3 innings while making a career-high 29 starts. Numerous injuries have significantly limited his workload over the last three seasons, and he’s already landed on the IL this year with lumbar spine inflammation.
Since joining the Mets, all of Senga’s 59 regular-season appearances have come as a starting pitcher. He came out of the bullpen once during the NLCS in 2024.
The 33-year-old is owed $14 million this season and again in 2027. The Mets hold a $15-million option for 2028.
Mendoza also announced that shortstop Francisco Lindor is expected to come off the IL on Wednesday ahead of the Mets’ second game of their doubleheader. The five-time All-Star has been sidelined since late April with a calf strain.
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Source: Sports Baseball – The Score
