Mets' Kodai Senga to the minor leagues? Only if he says yes.
Kodai Senga of the New York Mets leaves a game against the Miami Marlins during the fifth inning at Citi Field on Aug. 31, 2025. Credit: Jim McIsaac
DETROIT – The Mets are asking struggling Kodai Senga to accept a demotion to the minor leagues to fix what is ailing him on the mound.
Senga has the right to decline the request. It is unclear what the 32-year-old will decide.
“Obviously, we all know he’s going to have to give his consent if that’s the case,” manager Carlos Mendoza said before the Mets’ 6-2 loss to the Tigers at Comerica Park. “Wait ‘til we get through today, and then we’ll go from there.”
Senga last pitched on Sunday, when he allowed five runs in 4 2/3 innings in a 5-1 loss to the Marlins. Since returning from a hamstring injury on July 11, Senga has a 5.90 ERA in nine starts. Before that, he was one of the top pitchers in baseball with a 1.47 ERA in 13 starts. Overall, he is 7-6 with a 3.02 ERA.
Where does Senga go from here? The options seem to be Syracuse or the bullpen since the Mets have seven other viable options for their rotation. Senga was not available for comment after the game.
“Everything’s on the table,” Mendoza said. “Whether he makes a next start. There’s a lot going on right now. We’ve just got to wait and see after we get through today.”
The Mets are off on Thursday. Clay Holmes started and was charged with three runs in 4 2/3 innings and took the loss on Wednesday. David Peterson is set to open a three-game series in Cincinnati on Friday. Rookie Jonah Tong will make his second big-league start on Saturday.
Sunday’s starter is TBD. The Mets could bring back rookie sensation Nolan McLean on regular rest after he threw 90 pitches and allowed two runs in six innings in a 12-5 victory over Detroit on Tuesday. Triple-A righthander Brandon Sproat, who threw seven shutout innings for Syracuse on Saturday, is an option.
Mendoza ruled out Tylor Megill for Sunday. Megill threw four innings in a rehab start for Syracuse on Tuesday.
After Cincinnati, the Mets open a four-game series against the NL East-leading Phillies at Citizens Bank Park on Monday. Sean Manaea is expected to start the opener.
Alvarez just grand
Francisco Alvarez caught nine innings for the second straight night with a fractured left pinkie finger and surgically repaired ligament in his right thumb — and hit a grand slam for Triple-A Syracuse. If Alvarez is OK, he should join the Mets in Cincinnati on Friday.
Castillo claimed
Lefthander Jose Castillo, who had a 2.35 ERA in 16 appearances for the Mets this season, was claimed on waivers by Seattle.
Anthony Rieber covers baseball, as well as the NFL, NBA and NHL. He has worked at Newsday since Aug. 31, 1998, and has been in his current position since July 5, 2004.
