Andres Chavez
The New York Mets got a brilliant outing from veteran Kodai Senga on Tuesday, even if it resulted on a loss. The right-hander tossed six quality innings in which he surrendered just a couple of runs on four hits and three walks. He struck out nine and his fastball looked as good as ever.
Senga has been through a lot in the last two seasons, both physically and mentally. He pitched just 5.1 innings in 2024, losing virtually the entire year with shoulder and calf issues. He worked hard to return to form in the 2024-25 offseason and spring training, and for a few months, looked close to his best version last year.
Then, in mid-June, he suffered a hamstring strain that completely derailed his season. He tried coming back after a few weeks, but was a shell of himself, posting a 6.56 ERA in 35.2 frames in eight starts. Things got so bad that he accepted a demotion to Triple-A and his velocity was far from its best.
The Fastball Velocity Exceeded All Expectations
On Tuesday, the four-seamer sat at an incredible 97.4 mph, significantly faster than his best year in MLB, 2023, when the pitch checked in at 95.7 mph on average. He touched 99.2 mph with his heater and earned seven whiffs on it alone, and 17 in total.
“It really felt like I’m a starting pitcher again” Senga told the press after the game, according to SNY Mets. Just being on an MLB mound and being able to compete at the highest level qualifies as a win for him, with everything he has had to go through.
Senga could finally focus on improving his game rather than rehabbing an injury. He was able to think about how to improve his velocity and his pitches instead of doing physical therapy sessions.
He Felt Like A Major League Pitcher Again
For a day, at least, Senga experienced what it’s like to be a major league pitcher again, as he said. He felt the adrenaline of facing MLB-caliber hitters, and responded in a big way.
This isn’t the end of the road for Senga. It’s just the beginning, in any case. He will now have to prove he can do this over a long period, every five or six days. It’s not easy, and his body has been through a lot in the last couple of years, but he has shown the determination and resilience that separates the good from the great.
If Senga can return to his 2023 form, when he posted a 2.98 ERA with 202 strikeouts, the Mets rotation could be close to unstoppable. It could be a game-changer for New York. All he needs is stay healthy.
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