David Stearns points to Kodai Senga’s ninth-inning form as Mets shape late-inning plans

New York’s late-inning picture has been one of the more closely watched components of the Mets’ season, and the organization’s leadership is pointing to a specific reason for optimism. In a conversation reported by MLB, Mets president of baseball operations David Stearns described what he has seen from right-hander Kodai Senga out of the bullpen, focusing on the difference between surviving late and finishing games cleanly.

Stearns’ assessment centered on Senga’s recent stretch as the Mets’ ninth-inning option. In the three games he has appeared in ninth-inning situations, Senga has recorded three saves and five strikeouts across three innings, a quick, tangible sample that Stearns said has impressed him.

The key detail is not only the results, but how they have arrived. Three strikeouts in as many innings implies a reliever who is getting swings and missing bats when the margin narrows, and the three-save output reflects the Mets’ ability to hand him close games and trust that he can close them out. Stearns’ comments underscore that the Mets are paying attention to both the scoreboard impact and the underlying ability to work effectively when the situation is most demanding.

The same MLB report also connects Senga’s usage to the future of the Mets’ bullpen decision-making, including the organization’s view of how it wants its staff to function over the long haul. In that context, Stearns discussed Andy Green, tying the right-hander’s present bullpen performance to what comes next for the Mets’ relief group and their ongoing process of refining roles.

For Mets fans, bullpen roles carry an added layer of meaning because the late-inning staff can determine how many games are winnable even when the rest of the roster is in flux. A reliever who can handle the ninth with both reliability and strikeout ability changes how managers approach game management, including how early they need to spend other arms. Even within a short window, Senga’s production is creating a concrete reference point for the organization.

Still, it is early enough that the Mets will likely continue to evaluate what the performance says about the bigger picture rather than treating it as a guarantee. Three games is a beginning, not a complete body of work, and any bullpen plan has to account for matchups, workload management, and the way pitchers adjust as opponents learn tendencies. The immediate takeaway from Stearns is that Senga’s current effectiveness has moved to the top of the Mets’ internal confidence list.

Looking ahead, the Mets will need that confidence to translate into continued execution in high-leverage spots. If Senga sustains the kind of ninth-inning effectiveness Stearns highlighted, New York can build a steadier finish to games. And if Green’s role continues to align with that vision, the bullpen’s late-inning identity may become more defined as the season progresses and the Mets get closer to postseason planning.