The New York Mets have sent right-handed pitcher Kodai Senga to the minor leagues. Senga, an All-Star starter in his third year with the Mets, is being optioned after a streak of struggles the past few months.
The Mets announced the move Friday, along with announcing the return of catcher Francisco Alvarez. Wander Suero, a veteran RHP with stints across multiple MLB teams, will join the major-league team to replace Senga.
Senga joined the Mets from the Nippon Professional Baseball league in 2023. He put up All-Star numbers that season, with a 2.98 ERA and 1.22 WHIP in 166 1/3 innings pitched across 29 starts.
But Senga appeared in only one game last season, missing the rest of the year due to injuries to his shoulder and calf.
After returning to the mound this season, Senga’s year started off fine, but he slumped in recent weeks. His ERA was 5.25 across three starts in July and 6.18 across six starts in August.
Overall, Senga has a 3.02 ERA in 22 starts this season, with 113 1/3 innings pitched.
The move comes as New York is making a push for the playoffs, with seven series left in the season. The Mets are second in the NL East, six games behind the Philadelphia Phillies entering Friday.
The team’s 75-65 record puts them in the third and final NL wild-card spot.
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