Latest news with #KodaiSenga
CNN
2 days ago
- Sport
- CNN
From Tokyo to Citi Field: Kodai Senga is a key part of baseball's international charge
When Kodai Senga takes the mound at Citi Field, he's not just pitching for the New York Mets. He's part of a rising wave of Japanese talent that's breathing new life into America's pastime – and drawing millions of new eyes on both sides of the Pacific. In an interview with CNN's Jim Sciutto, the three-time NPB All-Star shared what the transition was like moving from Japan's Nippon Professional Baseball to Major League Baseball. 'Of course, there are differences when playing baseball in a different culture, so I think it's really important to think about it and study it well so that I can take advantage of the good parts of the baseball here (in the United States) and the baseball over there (in Japan),' he told Sciutto. When asked what the hardest adjustment has been game-wise, Senga said, 'It's definitely the ball, the ball is very different.' Known for his powerful fastball, the thirty-two-year-old pitcher holds a 7-3 record and 74 strikeouts across 77 innings this season alone. His performance has been instrumental in the Mets' strong pitching lineup – and their current first place standing in the National League East. And even though he's heading to the injured list with Thursday's hamstring injury, Senga's fast adaptation – and his 1.39 ERA this season – is only one part of a much bigger story: A growing Japan-to-MLB pipeline that's sparking international viewership and cross-cultural tourism. This season, 12 Japanese players appeared on MLB Opening Day rosters — the highest since 2012. The list includes not only household names like Shohei Ohtani and Yoshinobu Yamamoto, but fresh faces like Roki Sasaki and Shota Imanaga, who are redefining what a rookie campaign can look like. The fan bases are also growing in numbers. MLB viewership has spiked on both sides of the Pacific this season: ESPN is up 22%, TBS 16%, and NHK in Japan is also up 22%. During March's Tokyo Series — where the Cubs and Dodgers squared off — over 25 million viewers tuned in, setting a new record for an MLB game broadcast in Japan. The 'Ohtani Effect' has been well-documented in Los Angeles over the last several years. Japanese fans frequently flock to Dodger Stadium for a chance to see the dugout, the field, and even embark on Japanese-language tours to get a feel for the behind the scenes of the game. There are even new waves of tourism going straight to Japan itself. JapanBall Tours, which takes fans from the U.S. to Japan for NPB games, has seen a 27% jump in social media followers this year and a 31% increase in newsletter subscriptions, according to the New York Times. When asked if this influx of top talent to the US could hurt the Japanese league, Senga pointed to how change is actually a positive. 'We shouldn't stay the way we are just because things are changing but instead create a system where even if new players leave, the next generation can join in,' Senga said. It's not just players – the Mets themselves have a long history with Japan. They played in the first MLB Opening Day game overseas in 2000 at the Tokyo Dome. Back in 1996, they became the first team to play in both Japan and Mexico. When asked if he'd like to finish his career in the US, the MLB all-star said, 'if I could get a long-term contract, that would be my wish.' Baseball may be the same game in theory – three strikes and you're out – but the cultural nuances are vast. But Senga points out the experience is actually more complementary than conflicting. 'Over here (in the United States) when the excitement hits, the fans cheer loudly, and you can really tell they're here to enjoy the game. While over there (in Japan) they enjoy the cheering itself almost as its own activity, so I think that's a different experience,' he said. With MLB's international player count at 265 across 18 countries and a growing share of that coming from Japan, the league is poised to raise the level of competition for international players. For Senga, though, that does not affect his play. When asked if there is pressure to go up against another Japanese player like Ohtani, Senga said, 'I think it's more the media and the people around me that makes a bigger deal that the (opposing) player is Japanese… For the players themselves, it's the same experience, whether you're able to stop the batter or not. So, I don't think it makes a difference.' And as for life in New York? 'If it's New York, pretty easy', Senga says when asked about finding good Japanese food. Favorite spot? 'I have several.'
New York Post
2 days ago
- Sport
- New York Post
Mets feature new-look, healthier starting rotation to kick off second half
Access the Mets beat like never before Join Post Sports+ for exciting subscriber-only features, including real-time texting with Mike Puma about the inside buzz on the Mets. Try it free In their final dozen games before the All-Star break, the Mets started games with Huascar Brazobán, Chris Devenski, Brandon Waddell and Justin Hagenman. The Mets managed to go 7-5 during that stretch, but that kind of pitching lineup isn't conducive to long-term success. They'll look a lot different when they begin the second half against the Reds at Citi Field. The Mets announced their starters for the three-game series Thursday, with Sean Manaea going Friday, followed by Clay Holmes and David Peterson. Kodai Senga and Frankie Montas would be set to start the next two. Peterson is coming off being named an NL All-Star, and the Mets are counting on Manaea, Senga and Montas staying healthy the rest of the way after all three battled injuries throughout the first half. 5 Mets pitcher Sean Manaea looks for a fan to throw a ball to after the final out during a game earlier this season. JASON SZENES/ NY POST Over the course of the season, the Mets have the fourth-best rotation ERA (3.38), but it's just average (4.17, 15th in the majors) since June 1. They've gotten just four starts from Montas, who suffered a lat injury during the spring, and Manaea finally made it back from oblique and elbow issues to make his season debut in the last game before the break, when the lefty struck out five in 3 ¹/₃ innings of relief. 5 Frankie Montas throws during the Mets' 12-6 blowout win over the Yankees on July 5, 2025 at Citi Field. AP And Senga returned from being out for a month with a hamstring injury with four scoreless innings. 'It's a lot to ask for, but if the three of them can stay healthy, they look a lot better,'' one AL scout said. 5 Kodai Senga is checked on by trainers after he suffered a right hamstring strain while covering first base during aJune 12, 2025 game. JASON SZENES/NY POST Additionally, the Mets will have to continue to monitor Holmes' innings as the right-hander has already blown by his previous major league high of 70 innings in a season with 103. He hasn't completed six innings in any of his past six starts. And more help could be on the way, if needed, with Brandon Sproat coming off three straight scoreless starts at Triple-A Syracuse in which he has allowed seven hits in 18 innings and Nolan McLean having struck out 20 batters over 11 innings in his previous two starts. Matt Allan, the former top pitching prospect whose career was sidetracked by a pair of Tommy John surgeries — as well as an additional revision on the first UCL procedure — hasn't pitched since June 10 with High-A Brooklyn. 5 Matt Allan COREY SIPKIN/NYPOST He's been sidelined with elbow soreness and is on the 7-day injured list, although there's no structural damage and he has resumed throwing. The 24-year-old hadn't pitched in a game since 2019 before returning with Low-A St. Lucie in April. He pitched seven games with St. Lucie before moving to Brooklyn, where he's thrown 15 innings. While Francisco Alvarez looks to revive his career with Triple-A Syracuse after an ugly stretch both at the plate and behind it in Queens — with The Post's Jon Heyman reporting Alvarez is expected to be back with the Mets 'sooner rather than later' — the Amazin's have had a bright spot with at least one of their young players, as Ronny Mauricio has hit well in his past 14 games after coming back from knee surgery. 5 Mets catcher Francisco Alvarez playing for the Syracuse Mets on July 3, 2025. Kylie Richelle Mauricio missed all of last season and, following a slow start with the Mets after being called up this year, he entered the break with an OPS of .899 in his past 14 games. Each of his past four starts has come at third base, where Mark Vientos continues to struggle. Vientos, getting at-bats at DH with Jesse Winker and Starling Marte on the IL, closed out the first half by going 7-for-19 with three extra-base hits. … The Mets announced the signing Thursday of the No. 38 pick, infielder Mitch Voit.
New York Times
4 days ago
- Sport
- New York Times
Mets' second-half storylines to watch, starting with the trade deadline
The New York Mets have arrived at the All-Star break toting a 55-42 record that is 10th-best in franchise history through the first half. Only twice this century (2022 and 2006) has New York been better positioned at the Midsummer Classic. And yet, this hasn't been a simple season for the Mets, and there are plenty of questions that David Stearns, Carlos Mendoza and the Mets roster will have to answer over the next couple of weeks before the trade deadline. Here are the big-picture questions that might determine the shape of the Mets' moves at the end of July. Advertisement The Mets finished the first half with the fourth-best rotation ERA in the majors, behind only the Phillies, Rangers and Royals. That's good. But there was a pretty big divide in how that rotation performed through June 13 and afterward. That's bad. What had been the best rotation by ERA for 2 1/2 months was 29th in ERA over the last month. A lot of that owes to injuries: The Mets lost Kodai Senga on June 12, Tylor Megill on June 17 and Griffin Canning on June 27. Before Senga and Sean Manaea returned this past weekend, New York was essentially running a three-man rotation with a mix of spot starters and bulk guys to flesh it out. Now the Mets have less than two weeks to evaluate whether the returns of Senga, Manaea and Frankie Montas are enough to return the rotation to its status as a team strength. All three looked solid in Kansas City, though Montas hasn't exactly looked trustworthy over his handful of starts to this point. Barring another significant injury — always a large 'if' for a pitching staff — the Mets should be reasonably well-covered from a depth perspective. While Canning is out for the season, Paul Blackburn should be back this month and Megill next month to provide depth, if needed, with other intriguing reinforcements in the upper levels of the minor leagues. But the Mets plan not just to get to October but to make noise once there, and it's reasonable to wonder if they possess enough quality at the top of their rotation to do so. Carlos Mendoza's lineup includes four names in permanent marker: Francisco Lindor, Juan Soto, Pete Alonso and Brandon Nimmo. The other five spots are a constant jumble, in part because of the young, relatively unproven options trying to show they're worth regular playing time. Whether the Mets need to add another offensive piece hinges on how they feel about the quintet of Francisco Alvarez, Mark Vientos, Brett Baty, Ronny Mauricio and Luisangel Acuña. Put bluntly, how many of them can occupy regular spots in a championship lineup? Here's how one projection system (THE BAT X) views that group. Vientos can play third, Baty can play second and third, Mauricio can play second, third and short, and Acuña can play second, third, short and center field. How you view any of that group depends on how far back you can remember. Mauricio looks the best right now. Baty looked the best in May. Acuña looked the best in April. Vientos looked the best throughout a breakthrough 2024 season. If the Mets feel they can devote two everyday spots to that group of four, through platoons or riding hot streaks, then they probably don't need to go outside the organization to acquire another bat. If they're unsure, they can snag one more infield piece for insurance. If they doubt that group, it's time to acquire an established starter on the infield or in center. Advertisement Alvarez's status is more isolated because of the inherent lack of defensive flexibility. He's basically fighting to win back at least a share of his job from Luis Torrens. However, the Mets' overall evaluation of their offense needs to account for what they'll get out of the catcher position. To this point, they're tied for 23rd in baseball in offensive production out of their catchers. As 2024 proved, no part of a team evolves more over a season than the bullpen. The Mets began last season with Adam Ottavino and Brooks Raley as the primary set-up men for Díaz. Raley went under the knife by May; Ottavino was with the club all season but was left off the postseason roster for multiple rounds. By the NLCS, Ryne Stanek — acquired in July, nearly released in August, not trusted until October — was pretty much the only other arm Mendoza relied on in the later innings to get the ball to Díaz. This season, the Mets have once again lost their set-up lefty for the year in A.J. Minter and seen Stanek slide down the hierarchy. Reed Garrett and Huascar Brazobán have been Mendoza's go-to set-up men, even as both went through some serious struggles in the second half of June. Brazobán is on pace to throw 79 innings — both a career high and the most by a Mets reliever since 2019 (Seth Lugo). Raley should return this month, giving the Mets their best chance to replace Minter internally. But New York has lost Minter, Danny Young, Dedniel Núñez and perhaps Max Kranick for the season. It should be looking to add an arm or two to the pen by July 31. (Top photo of Sean Manaea: Jay Biggerstaff / Imagn Images)
Yahoo
6 days ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
Yankees claim reliever Rico Garcia off waivers from Mets
The Yankees have claimed right-handed reliever Rico Garcia off waivers from the Mets, reports Anthony DiComo of Garcia was DFA'd by the Mets on Friday to make room on the roster for Kodai Senga. Advertisement Garcia tossed 2.2 perfect innings against the Orioles during Game 2 of the Mets' Thursday's doubleheader. In his only other appearance for the Mets this season, he fired 2.0 scoreless innings against the Yankees on July 6, allowing one hit and striking out two. Garcia, 31, has a 6.47 ERA and 1.68 WHIP in parts of five big league seasons with the Mets, Nationals, Athletics, Orioles, Giants, and Rockies.
Yahoo
12-07-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Mark Vientos and Francisco Lindor lead the Mets past the Royals, 8-3
Kansas City Royals' Jonathan India warms up on deck during the first inning of a baseball game against the New York Mets, Friday, July 11, 2025, in Kansas City, Mo. (AP Photo/Charlie Riedel) Kansas City Royals left fielder John Rave runs onto the field during the first inning of a baseball game against the New York Mets, Friday, July 11, 2025, in Kansas City, Mo. (AP Photo/Charlie Riedel) Kansas City Royals starting pitcher Michael Wacha throws during the first inning of a baseball game against the New York Mets, Friday, July 11, 2025, in Kansas City, Mo. (AP Photo/Charlie Riedel) New York Mets starting pitcher Kodai Senga throws during the first inning of a baseball game against the Kansas City Royals, Friday, July 11, 2025, in Kansas City, Mo. (AP Photo/Charlie Riedel) New York Mets starting pitcher Kodai Senga throws during the second inning of a baseball game against the Kansas City Royals, Friday, July 11, 2025, in Kansas City, Mo. (AP Photo/Charlie Riedel) New York Mets starting pitcher Kodai Senga throws during the second inning of a baseball game against the Kansas City Royals, Friday, July 11, 2025, in Kansas City, Mo. (AP Photo/Charlie Riedel) Kansas City Royals' Jonathan India warms up on deck during the first inning of a baseball game against the New York Mets, Friday, July 11, 2025, in Kansas City, Mo. (AP Photo/Charlie Riedel) Kansas City Royals left fielder John Rave runs onto the field during the first inning of a baseball game against the New York Mets, Friday, July 11, 2025, in Kansas City, Mo. (AP Photo/Charlie Riedel) Kansas City Royals starting pitcher Michael Wacha throws during the first inning of a baseball game against the New York Mets, Friday, July 11, 2025, in Kansas City, Mo. (AP Photo/Charlie Riedel) New York Mets starting pitcher Kodai Senga throws during the first inning of a baseball game against the Kansas City Royals, Friday, July 11, 2025, in Kansas City, Mo. (AP Photo/Charlie Riedel) New York Mets starting pitcher Kodai Senga throws during the second inning of a baseball game against the Kansas City Royals, Friday, July 11, 2025, in Kansas City, Mo. (AP Photo/Charlie Riedel) KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — Mark Vientos had a three-run double in the eighth inning, Francisco Lindor hit a three-run homer in the ninth and the New York Mets beat the Kansas City Royals 8-3 on Friday night. Brandon Nimmo singled to open the eighth and Francisco Lindor and Juan Soto walked to load the bases against Steven Cruz (2-1). Carlos Estévez entered to strike out Pete Alonso before Vientos cleared the bases for a 4-3 lead. Advertisement Lindor added his 19th homer in the ninth. He has 29 home runs and 81 RBIs against the Royals, his most against any opponent. Juan Soto followed with his 22nd homer, the sixth pair of back-to-back homers by the Mets. Huascar Brazobán (5-2) won after allowing four hits and a two-run homer by Bobby Witt Jr. while pitching the seventh. Kodai Senga returned from the injured list to make his first start in since leaving a June 12 start with a right hamstring strain. Working on a pitch limit, Senga threw four scoreless innings, allowing four hits and two walks, striking out four. Michael Wacha allowed a run on two hits and three walks in five innings, striking out five. Advertisement Key moment After Kyle Isbel's seventh-inning leadoff single, pinch-runner Tyler Tolbert stole second. The Mets challenged and the safe call was overturned because Tolbert came off the bag during his head-first slide. Witt homered two batters later. Key stat Senga's 'ghost fork' has induced 113 of his 206 career strikeouts. Up next Mets RHP Frankie Montas (1-1, 6.14 ERA) was set to face Royals RHP Michael Lorenzen (5-8, 4.61) on Saturday. ___ AP MLB:
