Kodai Senga is the newest Mets pitcher unable to provide innings.

Mets’ Pitcher Kodai Senga’s Struggles Raise Concerns

Carlos Mendoza remains unfazed, but there’s some unease about the current situation. Senga isn’t quite matching the caliber the Mets expect from him, which may have influenced their decision to not pursue a starter before the trade deadline.

The hope is that he can consistently deliver performances akin to those of a top-tier pitcher.

While there are several questions regarding the rotation, Senga’s recent performance has become a focal point since he returned last month.

In a recent game against the Giants, he surrendered four runs on five hits and walked three batters, exiting after just four innings with 71 pitches thrown. It’s been a rough return for him; since he came back from hamstring issues in July, he hasn’t completed a game with fewer than 77 pitches. During his last three starts, he has allowed more than three runs and issued eight walks in just 12 innings.

Mendoza expressed confidence, stating, “I’m not worried about him. We’re not concerned, but I can imagine he’s frustrated because he wants to pitch deeper into games.”

Both Mendoza and Senga noted that health isn’t an issue, though Senga mentioned some difficulties on Saturday due to a lack of competitive pitches. He found himself frequently behind in counts, which Mendoza acknowledged, emphasizing the need for Senga to attack the zone.

David Stearns’ choice not to add a starter at the deadline increased the stakes for Senga’s outings. This decision puts further pressure on him to be a reliable option for the Mets.

Throughout the game, Senga faced challenges, allowing multiple baserunners in every inning. Notably, former Met Dominique Smith hit a homer that swiftly shifted the game’s momentum. Senga also faced a bases-loaded situation without any outs in prior innings, as doubles and walks added to the frustration, although double plays helped minimize the damage.

Reflecting on his struggles, Senga remarked, “It wasn’t pretty. I felt like I gave up on those runs, and I didn’t feel good about it. I aim to stay in the game and perform at the level my team needs.”

While the Mets managed to generate enough offense to mitigate Senga’s issues in this game, they will eventually need him to return to his peak form and maintain strong performance to support the team.