The New York Mets thought they had a future ace when Kodai Senga posted a 2.98 ERA in 2023.
However, he made just one start in 2024 and spent a ton of time on the shelf in 2025. He was great early in 2025, but after missing about a month, he was terrible and was sent down. He had a 5.90 ERA in his last nine starts of the year.
This year, he had a 10.08 ERA as a starter, and the Mets moved him to the bullpen. As a long reliever, he had some success, but he is really thriving in a late-inning leverage role. In four one-inning outings in the seventh inning or later, he has not allowed a run. In fact, he has not allowed a hit. He has allowed two total base runners.
Senga picked up his first career save on Monday night, and his two-pitch mix is playing out of the bullpen.
“I do think in his right arm is 100 miles an hour and a nasty forkball,” interim manager Andy Green said on Aug.4, “and that profile plays for a late-inning reliever.”
Senga has a five-pitch mix, but his four-seam fastball and forkball are his most used and most effective pitches. Out of the bullpen, he can simply rely on those two, without getting hurt by the other stuff.
When Williams is back, he and Senga could be a great duo to end games. Senga is under contract for $15 million next year and the year after. However, in 2028, he has a conditional club option that triggers if he spends 130+ days on the injured list with an elbow injury or has to have Tommy John surgery.
His time as a starter may be done, but that does not mean he can't be a valuable asset. The Mets cleaned house in the bullpen at the trade deadline, and Senga seems to be in line to take over one of the leverage roles.
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