CINCINNATI — Two years ago, Kodai Senga was pitching himself into the Rookie of the Year race. Now, he’s headed to the minor leagues. The right-hander allowed the Mets to option him to Triple-A Syracuse on Friday afternoon, ahead of a crucial weekend series against the Cincinnati Reds.
Billed as the staff ace, Senga pitched like one before a June hamstring injury landed him on the injured list. Since then, a sub-2.00 ERA ballooned to nearly 6.00 (5.90) in nine starts. Senga has been plagued by an inability to throw strikes and work efficiently, preventing him from pitching past the fifth inning in most of his outings. The Mets have gone just 5-4 in those games, while Senga has been credited with three losses (0-3).
The club will promote right-handed pitching prospect Brandon Sproat to make Sunday’s start at Great American Ballpark, which edges Senga out of the rotation. Sending him to the minor leagues was the only choice the Mets had since left-hander Sean Manaea doesn’t have options. Senga’s contract had minor league options, but he had to agree to let the club exercise them.
Overall this season, Senga is 7-6 with a 3.02 ERA. He spent most of last season on the injured list with a shoulder injury and a calf strain, failing to follow up on his stellar rookie season.
Wander Suero takes his spot on the roster. A right-handed reliever, Suero was claimed off waivers Thursday from the Atlanta Braves. He’s allowed eight earned runs and walked four in only 6 1/3 Major League innings this season (11.37 ERA).
Catcher Francisco Alvarez was activated off the injured list Friday as well, and the Mets optioned catcher Hayden Senger to Triple-A. The backstop plans to play through a broken pinky on one hand, and a torn thumb UCL on the other.
