Mets Plan Senga as Starter for 2027
New York Mets general manager David Stearns said Kodai Senga will prepare to be a starting pitcher next season as several teams show trade interest.
Updated on Nov. 11, 2026 in Baseball
New York Mets general manager David Stearns said Kodai Senga will prepare to be a starting pitcher in 2027, after the right-hander was demoted to the bullpen mid-season in 2026. Multiple teams have reportedly expressed interest in trading for the 33-year-old.
Why it matters
Senga's move back toward the rotation signals how the Mets plan to address their starting pitching depth heading into 2027. The trade interest from other clubs also suggests the Mets could consider moving a veteran starter this offseason.
Senga has one year and $14 million remaining on his contract, with a club option for 2028, and is 33 years old. His 2026 season ended with a mid-season demotion to the bullpen, and the extraction does not specify whether any trade talks have advanced.
The players
David Stearns
David Stearns is the general manager of the New York Mets, a role in which he oversees the club's roster construction and player personnel decisions.
Kodai Senga
Kodai Senga is a Japanese right-handed pitcher who won a notable rookie campaign with the Mets before injuries limited his next two seasons.
The Athletic
The Athletic is a sports news publication that reported on the trade interest surrounding Kodai Senga.
The details
Stearns addressed the media at the General Manager Meetings in Las Vegas, where he confirmed Senga will prepare to start in 2027. Senga had a stellar rookie campaign with the Mets but then dealt with two injury-plagued seasons, and Ken Rosenthal reported on the trade interest for The Athletic.
Timeline
2026 mid-season: Senga was demoted to the bullpen.
November 11, 2026: Stearns made his comments at the GM Meetings in Las Vegas.
Offseason and spring training 2027: Senga prepares to be a starting pitcher.
Season Trajectory
Senga's shift from the bullpen back toward the rotation echoes the early promise he showed as a Mets rookie before injuries disrupted his progress. How the Mets handle his role and whether they trade a veteran starter will shape their pitching outlook for 2027.
Senga's role for 2027 will determine how he fits into the Mets' rotation and rest-of-roster plans, which affects fantasy projections for the pitcher. A trade would also change which club he pitches for next season.
The takeaway
Senga's path from rookie success to bullpen role and now a planned return to starting shows how quickly a pitcher's job can change after injuries. Watch the Mets' offseason moves to see whether they keep him in the rotation or move him elsewhere.
Further reading
For more on the club's roster moves, explore the Baseball section.
