Mets Hope Kodai Senga’s Return Can Stabilize Struggling Rotation in 13–22 Start

The New York Mets’ season has quickly drifted off course, with the club sitting near the bottom of the NL East after a disappointing 13–22 start. Expectations entering the year were significantly higher following an offseason roster overhaul that included the departures of key veterans Pete Alonso and Edwin Díaz, moves intended to reset the team’s trajectory toward contention.

Instead of a postseason push, the Mets find themselves trailing in a tightly packed division, where even the second-place position remains within reach but not yet secured. The slow start has intensified scrutiny on both the roster construction and early-season execution across the board.

Amid the broader struggles, the starting rotation has emerged as both a concern and a potential area for improvement. While some pitchers have performed well, inconsistency and injuries have limited the group’s overall effectiveness through the first month of the season.

Against that backdrop, any positive development on the pitching front carries added significance, particularly when it involves a projected rotation leader working his way back into form.

1. Senga Begins Rehab Progression

The Mets received a small but encouraging update this week regarding Kodai Senga, who has resumed a throwing program as he recovers from lumbar spine inflammation. The right-hander has been sidelined but is now beginning the early stages of his return process. According to team reporting from Anthony DiComo, Senga has started playing catch as part of his rehabilitation, marking his first step back toward a mound progression. While still early in the process, the development signals forward movement in his recovery. Senga will still require a full ramp-up period before rejoining the major league rotation, with additional throwing sessions and buildup work expected over the coming weeks. The team is expected to take a cautious approach given the nature of the injury. Even with limited activity, the Mets view this stage as an important milestone, as it indicates that Senga is trending in the right direction physically after a period of inactivity.

2. Struggles Define Early Season Form

Before landing on the injured list, Senga’s 2026 campaign had not matched expectations. Through five starts, he posted an 0–4 record with a 9.00 ERA, a significant regression from his previous season’s performance. His most recent outing before the injury highlighted those struggles, as he was unable to complete three innings against the Colorado Rockies. The early exit underscored ongoing command issues and inconsistent effectiveness on the mound. Senga had opened the season with two solid performances, suggesting early stability, but his form quickly deteriorated in subsequent starts. That decline ultimately led to his placement on the injured list as the team sought both recovery and reset. Despite the downturn, the Mets continue to view Senga as a potential key contributor once healthy, particularly given his track record and past success in the rotation.

3. Rotation Shows Mixed Results Without Him

In Senga’s absence, the Mets’ rotation has delivered uneven results, though there have been notable positives. Clay Holmes has provided steady production in his second season with the club, helping stabilize the group in recent outings. Freddy Peralta has also adapted well to his role in New York, offering consistent starts and serving as a reliable presence near the top of the rotation. His performance has been one of the early bright spots for the pitching staff. Rookie Nolan McLean has added an unexpected boost, emerging quickly as a dynamic arm capable of impacting games at the major league level. His rapid rise has helped offset some of the rotation’s volatility. However, inconsistency from both Senga prior to his injury and fellow starter David Peterson has contributed to the Mets’ overall struggles. If Senga and Peterson can return to form and remain healthy, the rotation still holds the potential to become one of the more effective units in the league.