Mets move scuffling Kodai Senga to bullpen after loss - ESPN

NEW YORK — The Mets, in keeping with the theme of their disappointing season, appear poised to take one step forward Wednesday only to perhaps take two steps back.

While the plan is to activate shortstop Francisco Lindor from the injured list before the second game of Wednesday's doubleheader against the Chicago Cubs, manager Carlos Mendoza said right-hander Kodai Senga has been demoted to the bullpen and did not rule out of the possibility of left fielder Juan Soto going on the injured list after exiting Tuesday's game with back tightness.

Team officials quickly made the decision to move Senga, one of the worst starters in the majors this season, to the bullpen after he continued his dreadful campaign by allowing seven runs over 3⅔ innings in Tuesday's 9-6 loss to the Cubs.

The dud left Senga with a 10.08 ERA across seven starts this season. He has compiled 34 strikeouts to 22 walks in his 27⅔ innings. Opponents have hit nine home runs with a .979 OPS against him.

«He could be a multi-inning guy,» Mendoza said. «He could be pitching high-leverage situations if we need him to. The game will dictate. We saw what he's capable of doing. We've seen flashes of it.»

One of those flashes appeared Tuesday when Senga, behind a fastball that touched 99 mph, struck out two batters in a perfect, 15-pitch first inning. That dominance disappeared in the second inning as Senga went away from his fastball, lost the strike zone, and swiftly encountered disaster. The Cubs finished the frame with five runs on two walks, a hit batter, and two hits, including a three-run home run from the scorching Pete Crow-Armstrong.

«I think maybe just of this role, you simplify it,» Mendoza said. «You say, 'Hey, man, like throw your best pitches in the