The New York Mets made a significant addition to their starting rotation by signing Kodai Senga, a highly regarded free agent, ahead of the 2023 MLB season. Known for his success in Japan before joining Major League Baseball, Senga was expected to develop into a frontline ace, providing the Mets with a dependable presence on the mound for years to come.
During his rookie season, Senga quickly demonstrated why the Mets invested in him. He started 29 games, pitched 166.1 innings, earned a 2.98 ERA, and notched 202 strikeouts. His strong performance garnered him a spot on the National League All-Star team, seventh place in NL Cy Young Award voting, and runner-up for NL Rookie of the Year behind Corbin Carroll of the Arizona Diamondbacks.
Recurring Injuries Challenge Senga’s Availability
Despite showing ace-level skill when healthy, Senga has battled persistent injury issues throughout his tenure with the Mets. Across three seasons, he has made only 47 starts. His 2024 campaign was cut short after a single regular-season appearance due to shoulder and calf injuries sustained during that outing. In 2025, although initially cleared for a full workload, he was sidelined again with a hamstring strain as of June 13. Up to this point, he has made 17 starts and accumulated 89.2 innings this year.
If the Mets want to be even better than they currently are, they absolutely need Kodai Senga to pitch like his old self. pic.twitter.com/qvA5YFquPQ— Mets Batflip (@metsbatflip1)
Contractual Implications of Senga’s Injury History
While the injuries present challenges, they also have an unexpected effect on Senga’s long-term presence with the Mets. Michael Baron from Just Mets highlighted that Senga’s contract includes a clause allowing him to opt out and become a free agent if he reaches 400 innings pitched over his first three MLB seasons. Currently, Senga sits well short of this threshold.
For post deadline and future planning purposes, it’s worth mentioning Kodai Senga is at 257 IP since he came to the #Mets. He needs to get to 400 IP to trigger his ability to opt out for this winter.That will obviously not happen. He will be with them through at least 2027.— Michael Baron (@michaelgbaron)
With only 261.1 innings pitched as of early August 2025 and less than two months remaining in the season, Senga is unlikely to reach the innings needed to activate the opt-out. As a result, he remains under team control through at least the 2027 season, with a team option extending into 2028.
Value and Expectations Moving Forward
Senga’s five-year, $75 million contract has delivered substantial value despite his limited availability due to injuries. His $15 million average annual value ranks 43rd among MLB starting pitchers, yet his performance level compares favorably with many higher-paid peers. At 32 years old, Senga’s ongoing contributions will be crucial if the Mets want to maintain a competitive edge in the National League.
Looking ahead, New York aims for Senga to stay healthy and consistently deliver ace-quality performances. His presence could help stabilize the Mets’ rotation and serve as a cornerstone for their pitching staff through the next several seasons.