New York Mets pitcher Kodai Senga demonstrated promising velocity by reaching 97 mph on his fastball during a live batting practice session on Thursday. This performance marks a hopeful development for the right-hander, whose 2024 season was hampered by injuries and inconsistent mechanics.
Last year, Senga’s performance was significantly affected after he returned from a strained hamstring. Although he started the season strong with a 1.47 ERA over his first 13 starts, his effectiveness declined sharply in the later part of the year. Upon returning in July, he managed to throw at 97 mph or faster only four times across his final nine outings, where a 5.90 ERA and severely disrupted mechanics led to a demotion to Triple-A for additional development and recovery.
Mets Manager Highlights Key Improvements in Senga’s Pitching
Mets manager Carlos Mendoza expressed optimism about Senga’s recent showing.
“I think the biggest thing for me, when you see 96, 97, that’s a really good sign,”
Mendoza said. He praised Senga’s command of his secondary pitches, noting,
“I thought he threw some really good sweepers, especially for strike one, backdoor against lefties. He’s just working on all of his pitches; he’s just trying to get the feel.”
Emphasizing the importance of health in Senga’s return to form, Mendoza added,
“First time out there, the feedback from the hitters is always important, and yeah, I think it all comes down to health. We all know that, and man, it was good to just see him go out there with intensity and throwing the ball the way he did.”
Senga’s Past Success and Impact on Mets Rotation
Senga remains one of the most intriguing and unpredictable figures in the Mets’ pitching rotation as the team looks ahead to the 2026 season. After transitioning from Japan, he had his only fully healthy MLB season in 2023, finishing second in the National League Rookie of the Year race and placing among the top 10 in the Cy Young Award voting. His 2023 stats included a 2.98 ERA and 202 strikeouts, underscoring his potential impact when healthy and performing at full strength.
Unfortunately, Senga pitched only 5.1 innings during the 2024 regular season due to setbacks, including an injury sustained while trying to field a high throw from teammate Pete Alonso at first base. This moment effectively curtailed a season that promised so much early on.
Potential Future Strength for the Mets Pitching Staff
The Mets currently rely heavily on Freddy Peralta and Nolan McLean as the leaders of their rotation. However, should Senga regain his pre-injury velocity and consistency reminiscent of his 2023 campaign, the team’s pitching staff could become significantly more formidable. A healthy and effective Senga would provide valuable depth and elevate the overall quality of the starting rotation, positioning the Mets better for playoff contention in coming seasons.
With the uncertainty surrounding his health, much of the Mets’ pitching outlook hinges on Senga’s ability to sustain the velocity glimpsed in recent sessions and reestablish his control over all his pitches.
