Kodai Senga’s Rollercoaster Journey with the Mets
Kodai Senga’s tenure with the New York Mets has been anything but predictable. The team inked the right-handed pitcher to a five-year, $75 million deal in December 2022, just as he was entering the prime of his career at 29. Before joining the Mets, Senga had a distinguished 11-year run with the Fukuoka SoftBank Hawks in Japan’s Nippon Professional Baseball (NPB) league, where he established himself as a formidable talent.
A Promising Start in 2023
Senga’s arrival in New York quickly proved to be one of the most astute signings of the 2022 offseason. In his rookie season, he showcased his skills with a commendable 12-7 record, a 2.98 ERA, and an impressive total of 202 strikeouts over 166.1 innings. His performance not only captivated fans but also earned him a second-place finish in the voting for the 2023 NL Rookie of the Year Award. The Mets, buoyed by Senga’s success, envisioned him as a cornerstone of their pitching staff for years to come.
A Season of Unmet Expectations in 2024
However, the optimism surrounding Senga’s future took a significant hit in 2024. The season began with promise, but it quickly unraveled due to injuries. Senga managed just one regular-season start before being sidelined by a right shoulder issue, followed by complications from a calf injury. These setbacks turned what was anticipated to be a continuation of his rookie year excellence into a frustrating struggle, effectively marking the season as a write-off.
Despite the hope that Senga would bounce back to reclaim his dominant form, the unexpected injuries have left fans and the organization pondering what lies ahead for the talented pitcher. As the 2024 season progresses, the Mets are left grappling with the fallout of Senga’s injury woes, which cast a shadow on their aspirations for success.
