Kodai Senga rediscovering peak form is more important than ever for Mets rotation
PORT ST. LUCIE, Fla. – The big pregame news out of Mets camp Friday came when Carlos Mendoza revealed that Clay Holmes, former reliever, had pitched his way into being named the club’s Opening Day starter. Kudos to Holmes, who has been both diligent and dazzling in his transformation from Yankees closer to the top of the Mets' rotation.
But another awfully important pitching story for the Mets further unfolded when Kodai Senga started Friday evening against the Cardinals. This one is not nearly as tidy as Holmes’ ascension, which boasts a crazy .065 batting average against and pinhead-small 0.62 WHIP this spring.
Senga was, as Mendoza put it, “OK” across 3.1 innings against St. Louis in a 3-3 tie at Clover Park, allowing two runs and seven hits. It’s just spring training and Senga, through an interpreter, and Mendoza both deemed the outing a productive night, work-wise. Overall, though, the pitcher coming off a lost 2024 admitted there are “things I’m content with and some things not so much” with his mechanics this spring.
However he sorts that out, one thing is clear – "peak" Senga, something seen only in flashes since his breakout 2023 season, would be an enormous boost to the Mets. They are already dealing with injuries to two members of their rotation – Sean Manaea, who might’ve been the Opening Day starter if he were healthy, and Frankie Montas. The Mets possess starting depth, sure, but Senga, right now, represents a huge slice of the rotation’s star power.
And they’ll need him this year as they aim to compete with the Braves and Phillies in the NL East, two powerful teams with stacked rotations.
“That’s 20 more wins,” said Francisco Lindor when asked what kind of impact Senga, at his best, would make. “He’s an ace. He’s an All-Star. I think he can definitely help us a lot. I’m looking forward to it. I feel like he’s in a good spot and he wants to win.”
“We know what he means to this team and this rotation,” Mendoza added. “I think everyone saw it in 2023 and that’s what we’re looking for here. If he’s healthy, he’s an ace and we need that.
“And, right now, everything is trending in the right direction. I think he's in a really good place, mentally. Physically. And there’s something that I didn't see last year, there's that smile on his face, that joy, you know, being around players. Last year, he went down early in camp, and he was rehabbing and trying to play catch-up the whole year.
“Seeing the way he’s carrying himself in that locker room right now, his presence, knowing that he’s healthy, everybody will feel it.”
Still, with Senga’s recent injury history, there are no guarantees. His spring and how he fares following his starts are key questions for the Mets. Mendoza admitted earlier in the day that Senga was not the choice for Opening Day because “he won’t be ready.”
Senga will start at some point the first time through the rotation, Mendoza said. But the manager also said, “let’s go one outing at a time” when asked for further clarity on when.
Senga missed most of 2024, starting the season on the Injured list with a shoulder capsule strain and then hurting his calf in his return start. He made it back for the postseason, but allowed seven runs in five playoff innings over three appearances (two starts).
But when he’s right, he can be great. In 2023, he was 12-7 with a 2.98 ERA and struck out 202 batters in just 166.1 innings pitched while allowing only 126 hits. He was one of just five qualified pitchers in the majors with a sub-3.00 ERA and one of 17 to fan at least 200.
His “ghost fork” became a sensation, too. In part because of the cool name, but mostly because of its effectiveness. Opposing hitters had a .110 average in at-bats that ended on Senga’s forkball, and 58.5 percent of the plate appearances that finished on the pitch were strikeouts.
Senga was named to the National League All-Star team, making him only the fifth Mets rookie to make the Midsummer Classic. He joined a Flushing Who’s Who of big names: Tom Seaver (1967), Jerry Koosman (1968), Dwight Gooden (1984) and Pete Alonso (2019).
He’s also just fun to watch. At one point Friday, he threw a 63.5 mile-per-hour curveball, two pitches after he had thrown a pitch nearly 30 mph faster. He called it “the miracle ball.”
Maybe the miracle ball, plus the ghost fork, plus a new sinker he’s tinkered with this spring, will add up to something big for Senga and the Mets.
He’ll need health, too, obviously. That’s the first step back to "peak" Senga.
Topics
-
SEE IT: Mets’ Kodai Senga throws ‘miracle ball’ pitch in spring training game
During his second spring game, Mets ace Kodai Senga threw a slow curveball to a Cardinals hitter. Like the ghost fork, the right-hander has a name for it.Yahoo Sports - 8h -
Mets Notes: Jose Butto nursing groin injury, Brandon Nimmo's availability for Opening Day not in doubt
Mets manager Carlos Mendoza shared thoughts on Jose Butto, Kodai Senga, and Brandon Nimmo following the team's tie with the Cardinals on Friday night.Yahoo Sports - 6h -
Juan Soto homers, drives in two as Mets and Cardinals play to tie
Juan Soto homered and Kodai Senga was inconsistent as the Mets and Cardinals played to a 3-3 tie on Friday night in Port St. Lucie.Yahoo Sports - 9h -
Mets' Edwin Diaz has 'better' spring outing against Red Sox: 'From the first pitch, there was conviction'
Mets closer Edwin Diaz had his best outing this spring, throwing just 18 pitches to get three outs on Thursday against the Boston Red Sox.Yahoo Sports - 1d -
Clay Holmes will start Mets' opener as he makes transition from relief role
New York Mets right-hander Clay Holmes will take the mound on opening day for his first start since 2018. Holmes has worked 9 2/3 shutout innings over three Grapefruit League starts as he moves ...Yahoo Sports - 11h -
After working hard all offseason, Mets’ Clay Holmes ‘honored’ to receive Opening Day nod
After grinding all offseason in his transition to becoming a part of the rotation, right-hander Clay Holmes has been named the Mets' Opening Day starter.Yahoo Sports - 12h -
2025 MLB Opening Day starter tracker: Yankees make call after Gerrit Cole injury, Mets tab free-agent signing
The regular season is almost upon us and managers are getting their ducks (and rotations) in a rowCBS Sports - 13h -
Mets give newcomer Holmes nod for Opening Day
Mets right-hander Clay Holmes will take the mound on opening day for his first start since 2018.ESPN - 9h -
Germany’s stagnant economy dents investment in consumer start-ups
Funding increased to €7bn last year but it is a far cry from the 2021 peak of more than €17bnFinancial Times - 2d
More from Yahoo Sports
-
Commanders receive high marks through the first week of free agency
The Washington Commanders receive high marks through one week of free agency.Yahoo Sports - 11m -
Report: Arsenal & Chelsea face competition for £50m transfer
Arsenal and Chelsea are reportedly set to face competition from Real Madrid for the potential transfer of Bournemouth defender Dean Huijsen.The 19-year-old has impressed in the Premier League this ...Yahoo Sports - 16m -
Lando Norris takes pole but ‘learning curve’ continues for Lewis Hamilton in eighth
Lando Norris said he was “not getting ahead” of himself, despite making the perfect start to the new Formula One season in Melbourne. The McLaren driver topped all three qualifying sessions to grab ...Yahoo Sports - 18m -
Jonathan Kuminga drops 18 points in 20 minutes off bench in return vs. Kings
After missing 31 straight games due to an ankle injury, Jonathan Kuminga made his return to the court on Thursday against the Kings.Yahoo Sports - 20m -
Lisbie twins have defences seeing double at Braintree
Braintree Town's Kyrell and Kyreece Lisbie are inspiring young people with TikTok videos about the highs and lows of football life.Yahoo Sports - 23m
More in Sports
-
Commanders receive high marks through the first week of free agency
The Washington Commanders receive high marks through one week of free agency.Yahoo Sports - 11m -
Atleti's Gallagher: Focus now on beating Barça
Atlético Madrid midfielder Conor Gallagher said the team has moved on from the painful UEFA Champions League exit against Real Madrid in a controversial penalty shootout on Wednesday.ESPN - 15m -
Estadio Azteca changes name ahead of 2026 WC
Mexico City's Estadio Azteca has changed its name to Estadio Banorte in order to help fund the final stages of remodeling for the upcoming 2026 World Cup.ESPN - 15m -
Guardiola laughs off Capello calling him 'arrogant'
Pep Guardiola has laughed off criticism from Fabio Capello after the former England manager accused the Manchester City boss of ruining Italian football.ESPN - 15m -
NWSL's BOS Nation to be renamed after backlash
Boston's 2026 NWSL franchise announced Friday that it will officially change its name following a highly-ridiculed launch last fall.ESPN - 15m