At the Mets’ spring training camp in Port St. Lucie, Florida, Japanese right-hander Kodai Senga is determined to overcome his recent injury struggles as the 2026 season approaches. After multiple setbacks in the past two years, Senga’s priority is clear: avoid injury and regain consistency on the mound.
Following a standout rookie season in 2023, when he earned seventh place in the National League Cy Young Award voting and was runner-up for Rookie of the Year, Senga has faced numerous physical challenges. He started 2024 on the injured list with a shoulder strain, returned only to suffer a calf injury during his season debut, and later dealt with a hamstring problem in 2025 that led to a demotion to Triple-A.
Injury Challenges Clouding a Promising Career
Senga has struggled to replicate the dominance he displayed in his rookie year, when he posted a 2.98 ERA over 29 starts. The injuries have disrupted his rhythm and confidence, making recent seasons a difficult journey. He expressed frustration about how these setbacks affected him.
“Last year with the injuries, it really put me off balance to have to end the year that way,”
Senga said.
“But through rehab this offseason, I feel really good. I’m really happy with where I’m at.”
During the offseason, Senga conducted thorough evaluations and studied his body closely to understand the causes behind his injuries. He took responsibility for his recent shortcomings and admitted that the last few years tested his confidence, describing them as frustrating.
“In this world, it’s either you do it or you don’t,”
he added.
“I’m here to do it and that’s all there is.”
Mets’ Rotation Depth and Expectations for Senga in 2026
With the regular season opening six weeks away, Senga is one of six starting pitchers competing for rotation spots at Mets camp. Alongside him are ace Freddy Peralta, promising young pitcher Nolan McLean, and seasoned arms including Clay Holmes, Sean Manaea, and David Peterson. Additional depth is provided by Tobias Myers and prospects Jonah Tong and Christian Scott.
Mets manager Carlos Mendoza emphasized the critical need for Senga to stay healthy this season, highlighting the impact the right-hander had when fully fit. Mendoza recalled Senga’s effectiveness during his impressive 2023 campaign and the early part of last year before injuries sidelined him.
“He needs to be healthy,”
Mendoza said.
“When he’s healthy, we know the type of pitcher he can be. People saw it in 2023. We saw it for the first two and a half months last year, how effective he was, and then he got hurt and he wasn’t able to be himself again. My biggest expectation here is we need this guy healthy. If he’s healthy, he’s gonna help us.”
Outlook for Kodai Senga and the Mets’ 2026 Season
Senga’s injury recovery is crucial not only for his own career trajectory but also for the Mets’ ambitions this year. His potential to strengthen the starting rotation depends heavily on his ability to maintain health throughout the season. Given his past performance and the team’s reliance on him, a healthy Senga could provide the Mets with a valuable edge as they compete in the National League.
As spring training progresses, close attention will be paid to Senga’s readiness, with the hope that his careful offseason work and renewed mindset set the stage for a successful return to form in 2026.
