Kodai Senga is determined to pitch like an ace for the New York Mets, despite the team placing him more on the sidelines recently. The right-handed pitcher voiced his perseverance as he reported for spring training with pitchers and catchers, emphasizing his goal to regain his top form after a difficult period.
These past two years have been frustrating and tough mentally,
Senga said through his interpreter on reporting day.
At some point maybe I started to lose confidence. But in this world, you either do it or you don’t, and I’m here to do it.
Performance Dip and Injury Setbacks Clouded Senga’s Recent Seasons
Senga’s second half of the previous season was marked by a steep decline after he returned from a hamstring injury that put him on the injured list. That slump ended with his willingness to accept a reassignment to Triple-A Syracuse in September, signaling the hurdles he has faced. Despite this, he finished the year with an overall 3.02 ERA, supported by a strong first half where he frequently showed ace-like qualities.
His struggles follow a 2024 season where Senga made just one appearance due to ongoing health issues, highlighting ongoing concerns about his ability to stay on the mound consistently.
Senga’s Drive to Rebuild Confidence and Earn Playing Time
The Mets have questioned Senga’s readiness to anchor their rotation, especially as teammates Freddy Peralta and Nolan McLean have surpassed him in the pecking order. The competition now sees Senga sharing the rotation mix with pitchers like Sean Manaea, Clay Holmes, and David Peterson. His declining stock was evident when the Mets entertained trade offers for him during the offseason, despite him having $30 million left on his contract over the next two years.
Senga has expressed his desire to remain in New York and focus on proving his own fitness and durability before worrying about outside opinions.
Before showing the organization anything I think I need to prove it to myself that I can go out there and pitch a full season,
he explained.
And then once I prove it to myself I think then comes the third party, how everybody else sees me, so first I need to be out there for myself.
Strong Rookie Season Contrasts with Recent Inconsistency
In 2023, Senga demonstrated his potential, recording a 2.98 ERA across 29 starts and accumulating 202 strikeouts in over 166 innings. However, durability has been a significant hurdle since then, as he has started only 23 games in the following period. This limited availability contrasts sharply with his dominant rookie campaign.
Mets’ Rotation Landscape and Senga’s Position Moving Forward
With several pitchers advancing ahead of him, Senga faces a challenging path to reclaim a leading role. Despite trade talks, he remains committed to the Mets and focused on controlling what he can.
I control only what I can control,
Senga said.
At that point I hadn’t gotten traded yet so I just wanted to do whatever I could in the moment and be back out there for the Mets and play hard.
Outlook for Senga’s Mets Comeback and Its Significance
As spring training progresses, Senga’s health and confidence will be crucial indicators for his ability to reclaim the ace status the Mets initially envisioned. If he can overcome his injury history and regain form, he could solidify the rotation depth New York desperately needs. His determination to prove himself first personally before answering to external expectations adds a layer of pressure but also highlights his resilience.
Should Senga succeed, the Mets will benefit from a potent arm that once displayed top-tier strikeout ability and control. Conversely, continued struggles could leave his future in New York uncertain, especially with rising talent encroaching on rotation spots.
