Mets manager Carlos Mendoza reveals when Kodai Senga will return to lineup

Starting pitcher Kodai Senga has been on the IL since late April after initially being placed on the 15-day IL with lumbar spine inflammation. Although Senga sustained an ulnar nerve irritation during his recovery process, it appears New York Mets manager Carlos Mendoza knows exactly when Senga’s return to action will be.

During his talk with media members on Monday, Mendoza revealed that the 33-year-old right-hander will take the mound for Tuesday’s contest against the Cincinnati Reds, according to SNYtv. Senga is showing the Mets that he is ready to finally return from injury.

“Kodai Senga is going to start for us [Tuesday vs. the Reds],” said Mendoza… “He’s ready to go. He’s telling us he feels 100%. For him to be very vocal about it is a really good sign.”

Carlos Mendoza says Kodai Senga will return to the Mets and start tomorrow's game in Cincinnati

"He's ready to go. He's telling us he feels 100%. For him to be very vocal about it is a really good sign" pic.twitter.com/c80CwM9cjE

— SNY (@SNYtv) June 15, 2026

It was an abysmal start to the 2026 campaign for Senga, as the Japanese native was putting up career-worst numbers before being placed on the 15-day IL. In his five starts so far this season, Kodai Senga owns a 9.00 ERA and 1.950 WHIP with 23 strikeouts.

Those numbers are well above his career averages (3.39 ERA and 1.292 WHIP). So, there is some hope that the four-year veteran can bounce back in a major way for the Mets with the summer finally here. His first game back on the mound against the Reds is an ideal matchup for Senga, as Cincinnati has been ice-cold of late, as the club is currently 2-8 in its last 10 games.

The Mets are scheduled to take on the Reds on Tuesday at 7:10 p.m. EST. It will be the second matchup of a three-game series.

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