Mets Demote Senga to Bullpen as Soto's Back Injury Raises Concern

The New York Mets have moved struggling right-hander Kodai Senga to the bullpen following a poor performance in Tuesday's 9-6 loss to the Chicago Cubs. Senga allowed seven runs over 3⅔ innings, bringing his season ERA to 10.08 across seven starts. Manager Carlos Mendoza expressed hope that the shift to relief pitching could help Senga simplify his approach and rely on his best stuff, particularly his fastball which touched 99 mph in Tuesday's first inning.

Meanwhile, the Mets face uncertainty regarding left fielder Juan Soto, who exited Tuesday's game after four innings due to back stiffness. Soto, in the second year of a 15-year, $765 million contract, visibly winced during his first two at-bats and experienced discomfort throwing. He wore a heating pad in the dugout and underwent imaging before Wednesday's doubleheader. Manager Mendoza did not rule out placing Soto on the injured list, acknowledging concern for the four-time All-Star, who leads the team with a .301 average, 17 home runs, and a .974 OPS entering the game.

On a brighter note, shortstop Francisco Lindor is expected to be activated before Wednesday's nightcap after spending nearly two months on the injured list with a strained left calf suffered on April 22. The 32-year-old shortstop played his third rehab game Tuesday for Triple-A Syracuse, going 2-for-5 with two runs scored. Lindor and Soto have played only nine games together this season, as Soto had previously missed 18 games in April with his own calf injury that coincided with Lindor's initial injury date.

The Mets, currently in last place in the National League East, have struggled to maintain lineup consistency. The team endured a 12-game losing streak during Soto's recent absence and sit seven games behind the final playoff spot. Mendoza indicated that Lindor will receive a cautious workload upon his return, with additional off days and increased time as designated hitter after his longest injury stint in his 12-year career.

Senga's demotion marks a significant step in addressing the team's starting rotation woes. The right-hander, who came to the Mets from Japan in 2023, has appeared in the bullpen only once since arriving, during Game 6 of the 2024 National League Championship Series. Mendoza emphasized that Senga's adjustment to relief pitching will require changes to his routine, with the expectation that he could handle multi-inning appearances or high-leverage situations as needed.