Mets' Kodai Senga warming to new bullpen role, finding positive results

ATLANTA — Throughout his career, Kodai Senga has been a creature of habit and a relentless tactician. The right-hander reveled in the process of keeping his mechanics in check.

But some of the worst results in his career have forced Senga into the bullpen for the first time in his career, forcing a change in the process. It has stripped him down to the foundation.

And that might be exactly what Senga needs.

The right-hander turned in another encouraging outing out of the bullpen on Friday night, allowing one earned run on two hits across 2⅔ innings while striking out four in the Mets' 5-3 loss to the Braves at Truist Park.

"I’m here to play baseball and to have fun," Senga said through an interpreter. "Previously because the results weren’t there, part of me was thinking, ‘Oh, I want to finish this guy off. I want to finish with that guy. I want to finish with this pitch, this location.’ Now I just want to go out there and have fun."

Senga has now made two appearances out of the bullpen, including on March 28 against the Phillies in New York, and has allowed three earned runs on six hits and one walk in 7⅔ innings with eight strikeouts. All three runs have crossed on a pair of home runs to Kyle Schwarber and Matt Olson.

"He’s been great. He’s throwing the ball really, really well," Andy Green said. "When he comes in that first inning, the first couple of innings today, it was an electric fastball. The forkball really plays. It’s been really, really good. I know he’s given up a couple of home runs, but honestly, I think you have to like the look of it."

A more simple approach for Kodai Senga

Before switching into a bullpen role, Senga had given up 31 earned runs in 27⅔ innings. He was walking 16.4 percent of the batters he faced.

Friday was Senga's first outing this season that he had not issued a free pass. He believes a more simple approach has come with not being able to overanalyze data going into each outing.

"Previously, I felt like I had to make the perfect pitch to get guys out, but I know that it doesn’t have to be perfect and hitters are going to make mistakes just like pitchers are going to make mistakes," Senga said. "I don’t have to throw every pitch precisely and perfectly. It’s going out there and giving it what I’ve got."

Senga leaned more heavily on his fastball, which he dialed up to 98.5 mph, and his forkball than he has all season. He only threw his cutter twice, compared to the season's 23 percent, and one was tagged by Olson for a 411-foot blast.

"When I watch him, when you’ve got two pitches that are better than average and way better than average, you don’t necessarily need a lot more," Green said. "I think in that role he’s done well. I think it also plays in the rotation too."

What's next for Kodai Senga?

Senga realizes that his results had not been good enough in the starting rotation, so he is content to pitch in any role for the rest of the 2026 season.

"I started some games this year and haven’t operated well as a starter," Senga said, "so it doesn’t matter if I start or if I’m throwing in the second, third, eighth or ninth, whatever inning it is, when I’m given the ball, I’m just going to continue to do what I can and perform."

Green is encouraged that Senga will be able to be effective for a single inning with the crispness of Senga's top of his arsenal or multiple innings out of the bullpen, given his starting experience.

Friday's performance provided encouragement that there is an effective role for Senga moving forward.

"I think he’s in a position now with what he threw, he needs a few days down," Green said. "Close to three innings, 45 pitches, so he’ll rest for a couple days and when he’s ready to go again, he’ll be back out there and available."

This article originally appeared on NorthJersey.com: Mets' Kodai Senga warming to new bullpen role, finding positive results