---
title: "Mets' Rotation Crumbles: Senga Banished to Bullpen, Soto Hurt"
description: "Struggling ace Kodai Senga is headed to relief as Juan Soto's balky back threatens an IL stint, delivering a one-two punch to New York's fading playoff hopes."
url: https://sportopod.com/en-US/cluster/mets-move-scuffling-kodai-senga-to-bullpen-after-loss-e0095aa4
published: 2026-06-24T20:34:21.764+00:00
updated: 2026-06-24T20:34:21.764+00:00
author: "Kostadin Stamboliev"
publisher: "Pineido"
site: "Sportopod"
language: en
topics: ["baseball"]
---

# Mets' Rotation Crumbles: Senga Banished to Bullpen, Soto Hurt

> Struggling ace Kodai Senga is headed to relief as Juan Soto's balky back threatens an IL stint, delivering a one-two punch to New York's fading playoff hopes.

The New York Mets have officially demoted struggling starter Kodai Senga to the bullpen, a stark admission that their marquee rotation is crumbling as the team's playoff hopes fade.

Manager Carlos Mendoza announced the move Tuesday after Senga took a loss, capping a run of 13 starts with a 5.21 ERA and a troubling 4.5 walks per nine innings.

The bad news compounded as Mendoza acknowledged star left fielder Juan Soto could be headed for the injured list after exiting the same game with back tightness, threatening to remove the lineup's most dangerous hitter.

Soto's potential absence turns a difficult week into a potential spiral for a Mets team already scuffling in the NL East standings.

What's next: The Mets must now patch together a rotation without one of its intended anchors while hoping Soto's back issue is minor, a dual challenge that will test their depth and resolve during a critical stretch of the season.

## Why this matters

This is a structural failure for a team with playoff ambitions. Senga was signed to be a rotation anchor after an All-Star 2025, but his dramatic command regression and banishment to relief expose a core weakness. Simultaneously, losing Juan Soto, even for a short IL stint, robs the Mets of their most potent offensive weapon at the worst possible time, threatening to derail their season entirely.

## Frequently asked

### Why was Kodai Senga demoted to the bullpen?

Senga was demoted due to persistent performance struggles, specifically a 5.21 ERA and poor command evidenced by walking 4.5 batters per nine innings over 13 starts, failing to meet his expected role as a rotation anchor.

### How serious is Juan Soto's back injury?

The severity is not yet confirmed, but manager Carlos Mendoza stated Soto could land on the injured list after exiting Tuesday's game with back tightness, indicating the team is preparing for a potential absence.

### What does this mean for the Mets' playoff chances?

The dual blows of a key starter's collapse and the potential loss of their best hitter represent a major setback, exposing roster flaws and increasing the difficulty of climbing back into the NL East race.

### Who will replace Senga in the Mets' rotation?

The enrichment material does not specify a replacement, but the move forces the Mets to find a new starter from within their bullpen, minors, or via external acquisition to fill the rotation spot.

## Sources & Citations

- [Mets move scuffling Kodai Senga to bullpen after loss](https://www.espn.com/mlb/story/_/id/49166504/mets-move-scuffling-kodai-senga-bullpen-loss) — ESPN (2026-06-24)

---

Cite: Mets' Rotation Crumbles: Senga Banished to Bullpen, Soto Hurt. Sportopod, 2026-06-24. https://sportopod.com/en-US/cluster/mets-move-scuffling-kodai-senga-to-bullpen-after-loss-e0095aa4