Senga returns as Mets set a late-summer lineup in Cincinnati against the Reds

The Mets and Reds open a mid-June matchup in Cincinnati with one primary storyline driving attention: Kodai Senga is set to return from the injured list, returning to the rotation after a stint away from game action. The Mets’ decision to bring him back frames the start as more than just a routine interleague game, with the team balancing pitching depth and lineup rhythm as summer usage increases.

For the Mets, the lineup announcement places Francisco Alvarez at designated hitter and puts Brett Baty at second base. Francisco Alvarez’s presence in the DH spot keeps a traditional infield spot available while still keeping the middle-of-the-order bat in a position to see additional at-bats, especially important in a game where matchups can swing quickly early. Brett Baty’s placement at second base also indicates the Mets are prioritizing continuity across the infield in front of Senga’s return.

The Mets’ middle and bottom-of-order pieces include A.J. Ewing at first base, MJ Melendez at third base, and Francisco Alvarez behind the plate in other contexts but starting as DH in this specific order. The order also features a pair of recognizable right-handed-left-handed puzzle pieces, with Marcus Semien slated for center field and Jared Young listed at left field. Each of those positions matters in Cincinnati because outfield alignment can affect how teams manage baserunners, depth, and time-to-home decisions in close games.

On the Reds side, the lineup is presented with Bo Bichette in right field and Juan Soto at shortstop, creating a familiar central batting identity. Soto’s role at shortstop keeps the Reds anchored defensively in a position that often carries the most ground-ball traffic, while Bichette at the corner outfield spot gives Cincinnati a hitter who can be used to pressure pitchers with quick reads and aggressive baserunning assumptions.

A.J. Ewing’s presence for the Mets, along with Baty’s spot in the order, also highlights how the Mets are using a mix of veterans and younger contributors to generate different at-bat profiles. The announced lineup includes MJ Melendez in the third-base spot, which, in practical terms, can change how teams are positioned to handle hard-hit grounders and line-drive routes through the infield.

While these are game-day lineup details, Senga’s return adds a layer of schedule planning. Pitchers coming back from the injured list can influence how aggressively a team leans on bullpen arms in the early innings, and every at-bat in the first couple frames becomes more consequential when the rotation is trying to re-establish timing and pitch-command patterns.

The key thing to watch next is how Senga’s first inning shapes the rest of the night for both clubs. If he can command his pitches and work efficiently, it may allow the Mets to maintain a steadier bullpen plan. For Cincinnati, the main question is whether the Soto and Bichette-led lineup can turn those early innings into a sustained offensive look, rather than chasing in deeper counts as the game progresses.