Before Kodai Senga took the Citi Field mound Tuesday, David Stearns told the media that the rotation will be judged on a “turn-by-turn” basis. After Senga left the mound, it was unclear if he would take his next turn.

Senga (0-6) gave up seven earned runs on three hits, walked five, hit a batter and struck out six over 3 2/3 innings in the 9-6 loss to the Cubs (41-37) in front of 35,668, who were hoping to see him notch his first win in over a year. He has lost nine straight decisions dating to last June.

“David (Stearns) was pretty clear before the game that performance matters here,” Carlos Mendoza said. “And having outings like this are not going to cut it. I’m pretty sure we’re going to have a decision, but that ain’t going to do it. We need better. So they know that. We get to a point where we’re like ‘you got to go out there and earn it.’ So that’s the bottom line.”

Senga’s ERA was 9.00 before the game and it rose to 10.08. He’s given up 31 earned runs in 27 2/3 innings. The only pitcher with a worse ERA who has thrown 20-plus innings is Max Scherzer (10.23).

Photo Credit: Vincent Carchietta-Imagn Images

Senga was asked whether his problems are mental or physical.

“Hard to say, probably 50-50 between it being a psychological/mental thing vs. a mechanical/physical performance side,” he told reporters through a Japanese interpreter. “As of right now, when I’m trying to find the strike zone, that’s when I’m not able to find the strike zone. When I’m able to throw freely, that’s when the pitches are in the strike zone.”

Senga, who threw 58 of 98 pitches for strikes, lost the zone in the second inning. He walked the leadoff hitter, hit a batter and walked in a run with the bases loaded that gave the Cubs a 1-0 lead. After a sacrifice fly, Pete Crow-Armstrong turned a 94 mph fastball into a 409-foot, three-run homer and New York (34-44) never recovered.

After a walk in the fourth, Dansby Swanson connected for a two-run shot, the ninth long ball Senga has served up this season. He surrendered 12 homers in 113 1/3 innings last year.

Does Senga expect to make his next start?

“It’s a discussion to be had,” he said. “It’s their decision. All I can do is continue to prepare so that I can pitch in this league and continue to get batters out.”

Said Mendoza: “I’m pretty sure we’re going to have some deep conversations. We’ve got days, but we need to figure this out quickly.”