Alright, Mets fans, you know this season has been a total disaster. Let’s not sugarcoat it: this 2026 Mets team is a flat-out failure. But sometimes, when you’re staring at a dumpster fire, desperation leads to invention, and just maybe, the Mets have stumbled onto something wild with Kodai Senga. He jogged out of the bullpen to lock down a three-run lead against the Braves on Monday, and get this: he actually did it, scoring his first major league save!
From Starter Nightmare to Bullpen Fire
Back before the season even truly started, Senga was supposed to be a cornerstone of the Mets rotation. When he arrived to get geared up for the season, with some tweaked mechanics and a little extra pop on his pitches, there was a quiet buzz. But boy, did things go sideways fast. Senga put up a brutal 9.00 ERA in five April starts, which is just crushing to see. Then, he landed on the Injured List for nearly two months with a back injury. Since his return, he’s basically been relegated to mop-up duty, pitching in low-leverage spots. But on Monday, with the team needing a closer, Senga got the call, and he delivered, looking pretty darn good doing it.
A New Role, New Velocity, and Big Questions
What’s really popping off the screen is Senga’s velocity since moving to a single-inning relief role. His four-seamer was sitting at an impressive 97.3 mph on Monday, which is a full 1.1 mph *faster* than his season average, and the rest of his arsenal saw a jump too. He struck out two and walked one in an uneventful ninth inning, securing his first save in the majors, and his first at any level since way back in 2014 in Japan! Now, let’s keep it real: one save isn’t proof of anything, and we’ve got to be skeptical. He allowed 10 runs over 12 innings in July while working as a reliever in four of his five appearances. But over the last week or so, in a more traditional single-inning role, he’s punched out four guys in three innings, though that’s still a tiny sample size. The opportunity came because Devin Williams is on the IL with a shoulder strain, but the Mets definitely showed some faith: Senga got the first shot, while Daniel Duarte, who many thought would get the call, worked the seventh inning in the same game.
Look, you shouldn’t think Senga is suddenly going to be a savior. But the Mets’ season has been such a massive understatement of failure that they’re willing to try anything. He wouldn’t be the first failed starter to totally remake himself as a viable reliever, and the fact he got this first shot and delivered suggests the Mets see something here. This could be a fascinating turn for a season that’s been anything but.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by CBS Sports.
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