The New York Mets are at a crossroads with their starting rotation, particularly concerning pitcher Kodai Senga. The 34-year-old, who once shone as one of the best pitchers in the National League in 2026, has been grappling with a significant dip in form. His latest outing against the Chicago Cubs on June 23, 2026, at Citi Field has intensified the scrutiny on his future with the team.
Senga’s performance has been a rollercoaster. He started the game with promise, striking out the side in the first inning and touching 99 mph with his fastball. However, his control deserted him in the second inning, leading to a 5-0 deficit for the Mets. By the time he was pulled in the fourth inning, he had allowed seven runs on three hits and five walks with a total of six strikeouts.
Senga’s Recent Form and the Mets’ Dilemma
This performance is part of a troubling trend for Senga. In his two starts since returning from the injured list, he has pitched just 7.2 innings allowing 11 runs on five hits with seven walks. His era now stands at 10.08 over seven starts this season, a far cry from his previous form.
Manager Carlos Mendoza expressed his frustration, noting the stark contrast between Senga’s strong first inning and his subsequent struggles. ‘He goes out there in that first inning and that’s the guy you hope that he’s capable of being, just blowing that fastball by people‘ Mendoza said. ‘Then, the second inning, he gets away from it, and we’re sitting there in the dugout kind of asking ourselves like, What’s going on here? It happens so quick, it’s hard to explain. Just frustrating.’
The Mets’ Rotation Crisis
The Mets find themselves in a precarious situation with their starting rotation. President of baseball operations David Stearns has indicated that the rotation will be evaluated on a turn-by-turn basis, meaning performance will dictate who takes the mound. With limited depth in the starting pitching, the Mets are left with few options.
Stearns’ approach was clear before the game: performance matters. Mendoza reiterated this point, stating, ‘David was pretty clear before the game that performance matters here. Having outings like this is not going to cut it. I’m pretty sure we’re going to have decisions, but that ain’t gonna do it. We need better. They know that, but we get to a point where you have to go out there and earn it.’
Looking Ahead
As the Mets navigate this challenging period, they must also contend with other injuries and setbacks. Juan Soto the team’s star left fielder, left the game with left-side back tightness adding to the team’s woes. Soto, who has been a bright spot this season with a .974 OPS is now day-to-day, leaving his availability for upcoming games uncertain.
Meanwhile, Francisco Lindor who has been sidelined since April with a strained left calf, played his final minor league rehab game with Triple-A Syracuse on June 23, 2026. His return to the lineup, along with Soto’s health, will be crucial for the Mets as they look to stabilize their rotation and improve their performance.
The Mets’ situation is further complicated by the struggles of other pitchers in the rotation, including Freddy PeraltaDavid Peterson and Sean Manaea. With the rotation in disarray and the team unable to find a consistent solution, the pressure is on to make the right decisions moving forward.
For now, the focus remains on Senga and his ability to regain his form. As he put it through an interpreter, ‘I’ll continue to prepare to pitch in this league.’ However, with his recent performances, the Mets may need to explore other options to shore up their rotation and turn their season around.
