New York Mets starting pitcher Kodai Senga. Jeff Curry-Imagn Images

Mets make big Kodai Senga decision

By Vanessa Serrao | Last updated Jun 24, 2026 1:04 PM ET

The New York Mets have made a big decision regarding Kodai Senga.

The club announced that it will be moving Senga to the bullpen. The righty has struggled mightily across two starts since returning from the injured list on June 16 from lumbar spine inflammation.

He's posted an 0-2 record with a 12.91 ERA and a 1.91 WHIP across 7.2 innings pitched. Just as concerning, his numbers since his return are only slightly worse than his season long stats (0-6 record with a 10.08 ERA across his first seven starts).

His outing against the Chicago Cubs on June 23 was another sloppy performance. The 33-year-old gave up seven earned runs and walked five batters across only 3.2 innings of work.

Senga has been unable to find his rhythm for the Mets this season, struggling with a high-walk rate (16.4% 1st percentile) and averaging under four innings per start.

Kodai Senga is being moved to the bullpen by the Mets pic.twitter.com/aPJd26glT8
— SNY Mets (@SNY_Mets) June 24, 2026

Why Kodai Senga should embrace a relief role

The Japanese right-hander should embrace his new role as a reliever and the move shouldn't come as a surprise. Scouts even projected that he was better suited in a relief role prior to him signing with the Mets in December of 2022.

His inability to limit hard-contact has been a concern. His groundball rate of 26.3% ranks in the 2nd percentile and consequently he has struggled with giving up the long ball (2.9 home runs per nine innings).

The Mets will hope Senga can prove more effective in shorter stints on the mound.

Vanessa Serrao

Serrao is a freelance baseball writer who has covered all MLB teams, with particular expertise on the Toronto Blue Jays. She is a member of the Internet Baseball Writers Association of America.

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