Kodai Senga’s return to the New York Mets rotation was supposed to provide a much-needed boost for a team desperately trying to stay afloat in the National League playoff race. Instead, Tuesday night’s outing against the Cincinnati Reds quickly turned into another frustrating chapter in what has been a difficult season for both the right-hander and the club.
Making his first major league start since April 26, Senga took the mound at Great American Ball Park looking to regain momentum after an extended absence. The evening got off to a disastrous start. Senga issued walks to the first two batters he faced before Cincinnati’s Sal Stewart crushed a three-run home run to put the Reds in control almost immediately. Later in the inning, Spencer Steer added a solo shot, giving Cincinnati four runs before Senga could settle into any kind of rhythm.
The early damage proved too much for the Mets to overcome in what ended as a 5-3 loss. The defeat dropped New York to 32-41 on the season and intensified concerns about a rotation already stretched thin by injuries.
Mendoza Expects Senga to Stay in Mets Rotation
Despite the rough first inning, Mets manager Carlos Mendoza indicated afterward that the organization still expects Senga to remain in the rotation.
“Pretty sure he will,” Mendoza said when asked whether Senga would make his next scheduled start.
The manager acknowledged the poor start but noted signs of improvement as the game progressed.
“Obviously, the first three batters of the game, not ideal,” Mendoza said. “Not what you want to see right away. I thought he found that sweeper, the slider, but they got him there early on.”
New York’s pitching staff has little margin for error at the moment. Clay Holmes is not expected back from a broken leg until at least late August, while Christian Scott recently landed on the injured list with a right hip impingement. Those absences have left the Mets searching for reliable innings wherever they can find them.
A Difficult Season Continues
For Senga, the pressure continues to build. The loss dropped his record to 0-5 on the season, while his ERA remained at an alarming 9.00. With the Mets struggling and rotation options limited, every start carries added importance.
The club entered the season expecting Senga to be a key contributor near the top of the rotation. Instead, injuries and inconsistent results have prevented him from establishing any momentum. As the summer progresses, the Mets need stability from their starting pitchers, making Senga’s upcoming outings increasingly important.
Encouraging Signs After the Rough Start
Yet there was at least one encouraging development. After the nightmare opening frame, Senga looked far more like himself. Over his final three innings, he allowed no hits and only two walks while striking out five batters overall.
Speaking through an interpreter after the game, Senga focused on the positives from the latter portion of his outing.
“The first inning is frustrating,” he said, noting that “those last three innings were effective.”
Senga added that he believes consistency between starts will be the key to turning things around.
“As long as I’m able to prepare the way I should prepare between outings, I should be able to go out there and be effective, and that’s the goal.”
The Mets will now try to avoid a series sweep when they face the Reds again on Wednesday afternoon. For New York, and for Senga, the next opportunity cannot come soon enough.
