Mets keep Kodai Senga in Triple‑A as Jonah Tong works through rough outing

The New York Mets will keep right-hander Kodai Senga in Triple‑A Syracuse to continue working on his mechanics, manager Carlos Mendoza said Saturday, and the club will have Senga make another start there while it evaluates the rotation after a string of uncertain performances.

Senga delivered a strong first outing Friday for Syracuse, needing just 74 pitches to throw six innings, allowing one run on three hits with no walks and eight strikeouts. "The first step was very good," Mendoza said before New York's 3-2 loss to the Texas Rangers at Citi Field. "The main thing is he threw strikes, he attacked. Pretty much every pitch was working." Barring an injury to a Mets pitcher, Senga cannot be added to the active roster until next Saturday.

The decision to keep Senga in the minors follows a protracted slump and mechanical issues that prompted his demotion. Team officials framed the move as part of a planned attempt to rebuild Senga's consistency rather than a permanent reassignment.

Meanwhile, 22-year-old Jonah Tong endured a difficult outing Friday for the Mets, getting charged with six runs while recording only two outs. It was Tong's third major league appearance, and Mendoza said the young right-hander was visibly shaken and emotional after the game. "I talked with him after the game and again Saturday morning," Mendoza said. "The whole team was right there supporting him. It was pretty telling for me to see all the veterans — pretty much the whole team — supporting him. It goes to show that not only do we have really good players, we have really good people here."

Mendoza said that, "as of right now," Tong remains in the rotation. The Mets have an off-day Monday and will use it to discuss a rotation that presently feels like a six-man mix with questions about who should start and how to deploy arms. The club has not ruled out asking some starters to work in tandem or making other short-term adjustments.

The moves come in a season in which the Mets have tried to balance veteran experience and younger arms while contending with inconsistencies. First baseman Pete Alonso had two singles Friday, recording his eighth multihit game since Aug. 26 and continuing a stretch in which he has hit .316/.346/.539. The organization also announced it will wear a uniform patch to honor former manager Davey Johnson throughout next season.

The club offered a lighter moment Saturday during an alumni event when Carlos Beltrán, José Reyes and Carlos Delgado traded memories about the 2006 Mets. Beltrán recalled falling short in the postseason, and Reyes interjected with a joking, "What happened?" as the group laughed, a reminder of the franchise's recent and past personalities.

For now, Senga will remain in Syracuse for at least one more start while the Mets continue to monitor his progress and decide how best to steady the rotation. Tong's status will be re-evaluated as the staff determines whether mechanical adjustments, bullpen work or a brief demotion would better serve his development.