The Mets have a decision to make when it comes to Kodai Senga.
Do they have Senga make his next start — slated for Sunday against the Reds in Cincinnati — or skip him? Or does New York do something more drastic?
The Athletic's Will Sammon reports that the Mets are considering a few possibilities, "including potentially asking him to accept an optional minor league assignment."
Per Senga's contract, he would have to consent to an option.
It was once when Senga was regarded as the team's best pitcher after snagging an All-Star selection and becoming the runner-up for the NL Rookie of the Year award in 2023. Even this year, the right-hander pitched to a 1.47 ERA before his injury put him on the shelf for a month. But since returning in mid-July, Senga has struggled. He's posted a 6.56 ERA across 35.2 innings since the return, which includes his last outing in which he allowed five runs in 4.2 innings against the Marlins on Sunday.
That performance prompted manager Carlos Mendozato hint at changing the rotation to help Senga.
The Post's Mike Puma reported Tuesday that the Mets are "leaning" on having Nolan McLean pitch the series finale against the Reds on Sunday on normal rest after David Peterson and Jonah Tong pitch Friday and Saturday, respectively.
McLean has taken the league by storm, winning his first four starts while posting a 1.37 ERA — including Tuesday against the AL-best Detroit Tigers. Clay Holmes is slotted to pitch Wednesday's series finale in Detroit, and the off day on Thursday allows the Mets to give McLean that start on Sunday.
Simply skipping Senga's turn would be a temporary solution.
The Mets need Senga and Sean Manaea — another struggling starter — back to form in advance of the playoffs.
“They are until they’re not," Mendoza said on Tuesday of Senga and Manaea's place in the rotation. "We haven't made any decisions yet, we’re still having discussions. We’re going to be flexible and we gonna take advantage of off days and continue to have discussions. But as of right now, we haven’t made any decisions yet.”