Mets Weigh Senga's Outing as Roster Decisions Loom

Kodai Senga's performance on short rest could impact the Mets' pitching plans going forward.

Apr. 5, 2026 at 7:00pm by Ben Kaplan

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The New York Mets face a pivotal decision after today's game against the San Francisco Giants, as starting pitcher Kodai Senga takes the mound on just 4 days of rest - a rare occurrence in his young MLB career. Senga's outing could have significant implications for the Mets' pitching rotation and roster management, with the team needing to balance his workload and performance with the roles of other starters like Sean Manaea and Tobias Myers.

Why it matters

The Mets are in a delicate position with their pitching staff, needing to carefully manage Senga's workload while also finding ways to utilize their other capable arms. How Senga performs on short rest could determine whether the team sticks with a traditional 5-man rotation or explores a 6-man setup, with potential ripple effects on the roles of Manaea and Myers.

The details

Senga has a 5.09 ERA in his limited MLB career when pitching on 4 days of rest, a concerning trend that could force the Mets to rethink their usage of the young right-hander. A poor outing may lead the team to be more cautious with his schedule, potentially requiring Manaea or Myers to be better prepared to piggyback Senga's starts. Conversely, a strong performance from Senga could allow the Mets more flexibility in their rotation, potentially reducing the need for a 6-man setup and clarifying Manaea's role.

  • The Mets have scheduled off-days on April 16, 20, and 27 that could help Senga get 5 days of rest between starts.
  • Today's game against the Giants is Senga's 5th career MLB start on 4 days of rest.

The players

Kodai Senga

A right-handed starting pitcher for the New York Mets who is making a rare start on 4 days of rest.

Sean Manaea

A left-handed pitcher for the Mets who has been relegated to bullpen duties this season, but could see an increased role if Senga struggles.

Tobias Myers

A pitcher for the Mets who has served as both an opener and spot starter, and could be called upon to fill in if Senga's outing goes poorly.

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What’s next

The Mets will closely monitor Senga's performance and health following this start, as it could significantly impact their pitching plans and roster decisions going forward.

The takeaway

The Mets are in a delicate position with their pitching staff, needing to balance Senga's workload and performance with the roles of other capable arms like Manaea and Myers. How Senga fares on short rest could have far-reaching implications for the team's rotation and bullpen usage in the weeks ahead.