Kodai Senga finding some new life in bullpen as Mets career potentially hangs in balance

ATLANTA — Kodai Senga’s failures as a starter haven’t extended into his new bullpen job. 

It’s still too early to declare the Mets right-hander a success as a reliever, but a second straight solid outing Friday at least provided doses of optimism for a struggling pitcher in need of a boost. 

“The preparation is different,” Senga said through his interpreter after allowing one earned run over 2 ²/₃ innings against the Braves. “There isn’t much rhythm going into it, but the job is the same: I try to do my best, try to put up zeroes, try to contribute to a win.” 

Senga’s previous relief appearance was last weekend against the Phillies when he allowed two earned runs over five innings.

Even with his recent success, Senga owns an 8.66 ERA this season, which says everything about his work as a starter. 

It could be a last shot for Senga, who is signed through next season, to show he still belongs in a major league uniform. 

“One thing that is different, simpler: The data aspect is not going into each line of each start thinking about what pitches I can throw, what locations I can throw to each hitter versus now being a reliever I am just given the data that the team provides and going out there and pitching, so that is different for sure,” Senga said. 

The Mets can use the bullpen as an avenue toward improving Senga, allowing him a return to the starting rotation — Sean Manaea took such a path earlier this season.

They also could decide Senga is best suited for the bullpen and leave him there. 

Senga’s quality of stuff suggests he could be used as a high-leverage reliever, not just inserted to provide coverage for multiple innings. 

“He’s throwing the ball really well,” interim manager Andy Green said. “When he comes in, the first couple of innings [Friday] it was an electric fastball. The forkball really plays — it’s been really good. I know he’s given up a couple of home runs, but I think you have to like the look of it. The way it looks he can pitch a leverage one inning. He’s got that one inning as well. If the need arises, he gave us three strong innings [Friday].” 

Last year at this time, Senga was on the injured list, nearing his return from a hamstring injury that forced him to the injured list for a month.

Senga had a 1.47 ERA and was regarded as ace material for the Mets rotation. 

But Senga struggled after his return from the IL and ultimately agreed to pitch the final month at Triple-A Syracuse. 

Senga had two solid starts this season but began to struggle in April and was placed on the IL with lumbar spine inflammation in his lower back.

He bombed in two June starts upon returning and was sent to the bullpen. 

Would Senga embrace a relief role full-time? 

“It doesn’t matter where I pitch,” he said. “If I am given the ball, I am going to go out there and pitch. I have started some games this year and haven’t operated well as a starter, so it doesn’t matter if I start in the second, third, eighth or ninth. Whatever inning it is when I am given the ball, I am going to continue to do what I can to help the club.”