In a drastic move, the New York Mets optioned starting pitcher Kodai Senga, who entered the season as arguably their ace, to Triple-A Syracuse, the club announced Friday.
Senga needed to agree to accept the assignment, per his contract. As Senga continued to struggle since his return from the injured list in July (hamstring), the Mets had mulled the decision in recent days, as The Athletic reported. Over his last 35 2/3 innings, Senga posted a 6.56 ERA.
Both Senga and the Mets are hopeful that a sojourn in Triple A will help him get his delivery synced up back to where it was in 2023, when he finished runner-up for Rookie of the Year and made the All-Star team. Generally, pitchers’ stuff takes a hit when their mechanics are amiss, and that appears to be the case with Senga. Thus, his results are not as important in the minors compared to how he feels. People familiar with the situation suggested he is expected to make a couple of starts in Triple A in an effort to reset and get right; Syracuse’s schedule includes just two more weeks of games.
The Mets had multiple conversations with Senga, who is in the third year of a five-year deal, about the move. Senga had previously said that he was willing to do whatever it takes for him to get better and help the team. If the Mets wanted to demote Senga again in the future, they would again have to go through the same process of asking him for consent. It is completely plausible for Senga to improve and rejoin the Mets ahead of the playoffs, though whether that would be in the rotation or not is too early to say.
The Mets are expected to call up prospect Brandon Sproat to start on Sunday in place of Senga’s turn in the rotation. Ahead of Friday’s game, New York activated veteran right-handed reliever Wander Suero, whom they had acquired the day before off waivers from the Atlanta Braves. In another move, the Mets also activated catcher Francisco Alvarez from the injured list, sending down backup Hayden Senger. The rest of the Mets rotation sans Senga includes Nolan McLean, Jonah Tong, David Peterson, Clay Holmes and Sean Manaea.
Sep 5, 2025
Connections: Sports Edition
Spot the pattern. Connect the terms
Find the hidden link between sports terms
Play today’s puzzle