Kodai Senga eventually found his 2026 niche but his role for next season remains uncertain, David Stearns said.
The high-octane but high-variance righty flamed out of the Mets rotation by the middle of the season, owning a 10.08 ERA after a June 23 start.
But given a look in the bullpen — and eventually at the very back of it, stepping in for Devin Williams as the team’s closer — Senga has found a new life.
He is 5-for-5 in save opportunities and has been excellent in short bursts, with a 1.54 ERA in 12 games that include a scoreless ninth Friday, since the trade deadline that created additional bullpen spots.
“It’s fun to see,” Stearns said before the Mets’ 10-6 win over the Giants at Citi Field. “I think his investment in that role — even though he views himself as a starter, I think he’d prefer to start — but his investment in that role and the way he embraced that role I think is a great example for his teammates, for the organization as a whole. … And he’s done a great job. Where that is going forward next year? Still to be determined.”
There is an obvious and enticing ceiling if given a leash in the rotation for a righty who was a 2023 All-Star, but he has volleyed between injuries and ineffectiveness since.
Next year the Mets will have Nolan McLean and Christian Scott in their rotation. Given his contract and upturn, Sean Manaea will be in the group, too.
With just about every start, Zac Thornton is demonstrating he deserves a 2027 shot. Robert Stock, Tylor Megill and Jonah Tong are among the in-house possibilities, to go along with whomever Stearns brings in through free agency or trade.
Figuring out the role for Senga, who is due $15 million next season, will be for this winter and spring after enjoying what they have seen from him this August and September.
Stock, who threw 72 pitches as a starter Monday, made a surprise appearance in the eighth and recorded the final out.
After using Stock in relief, interim manager Andy Green announced Jonah Tong, who has been pitching better with Triple-A Syracuse, will join the rotation Monday to begin the series in Miami.
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Manaea will pitch Tuesday and “we’ll figure out where we are on that last day in Miami,” Green said. Given what would have been a long layoff, Stock became available as a reliever.
“He’s had some really good stuff at times coming out of the pen,” Stearns said.
Throughout his nearly three years in Queens, Stearns — the president of baseball operations — has operated without a general manager.
He was noncommittal about landing one this offseason.
“We’re always going to look to see if there are ways we can improve our organization in any way. That’s inclusive of the front office,” Stearns said.
“That’s been the case every offseason since I’ve been here, and it will be the case this offseason as well.”
Stearns reiterated that the plan is for interim manager Andy Green to return to a front-office role after this season.
Amid a roller-coaster year, Stearns said the Mets will “count on” Manaea next season.
Out of the rotation amid declining stuff at the start of the year, Manaea then worked his way into the starting group and was solid until recent issues. In all, he owns a 4.70 ERA.
“I think in general, we need Sean to go out and have a really good offseason, come back, and he’s going to be a part of this team next year,” Stearns said of Manaea, who is due $25 million next year. “We’re going to count on him, and he’s demonstrated that he can perform at a high level and contribute to a major league team.”
The Mets announced their 2027 spring training schedule — at least, a hopeful schedule — which begins Feb. 19 in Port St. Lucie against the Marlins.
