Struggling ace Kodai Senga‘s next start could be in the minor leagues, according to Will Sammon of The Athletic. The Mets are thinking of several options, sources told Sammon.
Senga would have to accept a minor-league assignment, according to his contract. The pitcher said Tuesday that he is willing to do whatever it takes to help the team win, Sammon reported.
“I mean everything’s on the table, you know, whether he makes the next start,” manager Carlos Mendoza told reporters Wednesday. “You know there’s a lot going on right now and we just got to wait and see after we get through today.”
On how receptive Senga would be about a demotion to the minors, Mendoza said: “I don’t know about that. Obviously, we all know he’s going to have to give us consent if that’s the case, but yeah, again, wait til we get through today, and maybe we’ll go from there.”
Clay Holmes will start Wednesday for New York. The Mets are off Thursday and have David Peterson slated for Friday at Cincinnati, with Jonah Tong expected to go Saturday.
Senga’s next turn would fall on Sunday, but that could go to Nolan McLean. Mike Puma of the New York Post reported that the Mets are “leaning” toward McLean for Sunday and that they will know by Friday whether Senga will accept a trip to the minors. Sean Manaea is scheduled to pitch Monday at Philadelphia.
Senga’s ERA was 1.47 when he strained his right hamstring covering first base on June 12. It has jumped to 3.02 in the 39 2/3 innings he has pitched since his July 11 return. Six of his nine outings post-injury have been less than five innings and his August ERA was 6.18 over six starts.
