New York Mets right-hander Kodai Senga got rocked again in his start against the Chicago Cubs on Friday. Senga went just 3 1/3 innings and gave up seven runs, six of which were earned. The Mets ultimately lost 12-4 and upped their losing streak to nine games. On the season, Senga has a record of 0-3 and an ERA of 8.83. He has been absolutely disastrous so far, and it may be time for the Mets to end the Senga experiment.
Why the Mets Need to Move On from Kodai Senga
Not the Same as His Rookie Year
Kodai Senga isn’t the only reason for this Mets’ disastrous run right now, but he is one of the main factors. Ever since his rookie year, when he was named an All-Star, he has not been the same. In that rookie season, he went 12-7 with a 2.98 ERA and punched out 202 over 166 innings. He finished the year second in the National League Rookie of the Year race and seventh in the NL Cy Young race. Ever since then, it’s been downhill for Senga. In 2024, he was out for the first half of the season with a shoulder injury. He would make one start before missing the rest of the season with another injury. Senga would then come back for the postseason only to get blown up in three appearances, ending with an ERA over 12.00.
In 2025, Senga was phenomenal in the first half before going on the injured list. He then struggled greatly in the second half, and the Mets ultimately sent him down to the minors. This year, he looked promising in spring training, leading to hopes of a bounce-back season, but he is off to a brutal start in the regular season. Now, the Mets appear uncommitted to him making his next start. Manager Carlos Mendoza was asked after the game about Senga’s next start, and Mendoza said, “We just finished a game here. As of right now, he’s in line. But we have an off day, we’ll see. I have to talk to David [Stearns] and the pitching guys.”
The final line for Kodai Senga this afternoon at Wrigley Field.
Senga has a 8.83 ERA in four starts this season and has failed to pitch into the 5th inning in eight of his last 13 starts. pic.twitter.com/eSOYFnKjCY
— SNY Mets (@SNY_Mets) April 17, 2026
What is Wrong with Kodai Senga?
Senga is having all sorts of issues lately. Walks have been a consistent issue for him since his debut. His injury history is no joke, with health issues dogging him since his rookie campaign. Now, tack velocity issues onto the list. Ever since his season debut against the St Louis Cardinals, his fastball velocity has dropped about two mph from 97.4 to 95.6. Everything is going wrong for Senga right now, and it doesn’t seem like it will change anytime soon.
What Will The Mets End Up Doing With Senga?
Now the question becomes what the Mets will ultimately do. Will they try to trade Senga in an attempt to get a decent return, or will they just designate him for assignment? It’s a matter of time before the Mets make some sort of change with the way this team is performing. It seems as if Senga is one of those people who should be on the chopping block, and only time will tell if the Mets finally call it quits on this experiment.
Main Photo Credit: Jim Rassol-Imagn Images
