Kodai Senga set to start as Freddy Peralta is scratched amid trade buzz, Mets manager says

The Mets are turning to Kodai Senga on July 31 after manager Andy Green said Freddy Peralta was scratched from his scheduled start because of increased trade interest. Green’s explanation reframed Peralta’s absence as something tied to the team’s midseason roster context, not a traditional performance-related change, leaving Senga as the next man up for the Mets in their game against the Marlins.

Senga’s assignment gives him another chance to get his season back on track. The move places the spotlight on how quickly he can provide stability for a Mets rotation that has had to adapt to day-to-day lineup and personnel adjustments. For Senga, this start is not just about one inning, but about establishing whether his latest outing can serve as a reliable foundation moving forward.

Green’s comments also underscore how closely roster decision-making in late July can intersect with player availability. When trade interest rises around a starter, clubs sometimes adjust their immediate plans, especially when a player’s status could be in flux. By shifting Peralta out and naming Senga, the Mets are effectively prioritizing certainty for the current game while allowing internal discussions to play out.

The opponent adds another layer to the urgency. Miami’s lineup presents a different set of angles and timing challenges than many NL matchups, and a pitcher coming into a start under a new set of expectations must quickly find command and sequencing. For Senga, the task is straightforward in description but demanding in execution, keeping hitters off balance early so the Mets can manage workloads and bullpen leverage.

Peralta’s scratch, meanwhile, changes the immediate rhythm of the staff. A starter’s removal for trade-related reasons can alter how the club plans the back end of its pitching usage, particularly in a stretch where managers often try to preserve leverage arms. Even without details on how the team will fill subsequent days, this kind of late adjustment tends to ripple outward through the rotation and the bullpen.

What to watch next is whether Senga can turn this opportunity into sustained momentum rather than a one-off appearance. If he is able to control the early counts and keep traffic from turning into damage, it strengthens the Mets’ case that their rotation can absorb disruption. If the start goes poorly, the Mets’ next decisions become more about damage control than lineup continuity.