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The New York Mets have been without right-hander Kodai Senga since the end of April. Following three consecutive poor starts, the Mets placed Senga on the 15-day injured list on April 28 with lumbar spine inflammation.

The latest update on the right-hander suggests that he’ll make a return this season. Anthony DiComo of MLB.com reports that Senga has started a throwing program in his rehab. DiComo notes that the right-hander is currently playing catch and will need to be fully built up before returning to the Mets’ rotation.

Senga, 33, is in his fourth year with the Mets. He signed a five-year, $75 million contract ahead of the 2023 season. He had a strong debut season in New York, pitching to a 2.98 ERA in 166.1 innings. What looked like a steal of a contract just two years ago has turned into another problem in a season full of them.

After two encouraging starts to begin the season, allowing just four runs in his first 11.2 innings, Senga failed to complete the fourth inning in the following three starts. On the season, he allowed 21 runs (20 earned) over 20 innings with 23 strikeouts and 13 walks. At that point, the club elected to shut down the right-hander.

How Has the Mets’ Rotation Fared Without Kodai Senga?

The Mets have been one of baseball’s biggest disappointments in 2026. The team carries the worst record in MLB entering play on May 6 at 13-22. Manager Carlos Mendoza was already on the hot seat following a second-half collapse in 2025, but the dreadful start could make him the third manager dismissed this season.

The Mets were supposed to carry one of baseball’s best rotations in 2026. For the most part, that unit has lived up to the bargain. The trio of Nolan McLean, Freddy Peralta, and Clay Holmes has combined for 2.9 fWAR. However, they’ve gotten very little production from their other two spots.

David Peterson has a 6.29 ERA in eight appearances, and the Mets have used an opener ahead of him three times this season. His 3.26 FIP and 3.50 xFIP suggest a potential positive regression candidate, but his xERA of 4.75 suggests he’s been getting hit hard when factoring quality of contact. Peterson’s struggles, along with Senga’s, have put the club in a bind regarding their rotation.

Former pitching prospect Christian Scott currently occupies Senga’s former spot in the rotation, combining for 6.1 innings across two starts. Scott himself is working back from 2024 Tommy John surgery. The right-hander has a 31.0% strikeout rate and a 17.2% walk rate in his two appearances. Those metrics paint a lack of consistency in a situation where the club needs more from its starters to get out of the National League East basement.

Additionally, the Mets have another pitching prospect on their 40-man roster. Jonah Tong, who finished the 2025 season in the rotation, is currently in Triple-A Syracuse. After breaking out as one of the best pitching prospects over the last two years, the club is prioritizing his development.

Projecting Kodai Senga’s Potential Return

Until Senga is throwing on a mound again, there isn’t a specific return date the Mets can anticipate. The clock can start as soon as he’s able to throw off a mound, then he’ll have to build up to a starter’s workload.

That will likely be a lengthy process, assuming Senga has no further setbacks. If he’s starting from the very beginning, he might need at least five rehab outings before he can contribute to the rotation. That’s how many starts Zack Wheeler needed before the Philadelphia Phillies activated him from the injured list.

In the meantime, Scott has an opportunity to secure a rotation spot over the next month. Once Senga is healthy again, the Mets face a tough decision for their rotation’s future. With $14 million owed to the right-hander in the final year of his deal, New York could trade him in the offseason.