Mets Manager Carlos Mendoza Sticks with Six-Man Rotation for Kodai Senga

A day after SNY analyst Ron Darling suggested that the Mets should transition to a five-man rotation to accommodate Kodai Senga’s preference for a six-man setup, the right-hander showcased his skills during live batting practice on a back field, impressing coaches and teammates alike.

Mets manager Carlos Mendoza, however, remains firm in his approach. When questioned about the possibility of switching to a five-man rotation, Mendoza stated, “We have six starters,” indicating that the current plan is to utilize all available arms if health permits.

As it stands, Senga is poised to join Opening Day starter Freddy Peralta, Clay Holmes, David Peterson, Sean Manaea, and Nolan McLean in the rotation. Mendoza noted that Peralta is likely the only starter who won’t require extra rest, but he plans to discuss the usage of the other pitchers as the season approaches.

Senga’s next appearance is scheduled for a Grapefruit League game, and the Mets are heartened by his intensity and performance this spring. The team is focused on maintaining the health and form of their pitchers throughout the training period, especially considering last year’s setbacks when they lost Manaea and Frankie Montas to injuries.

Currently, the rotation appears to be in good shape, even as Holmes and McLean prepare to represent Team USA in the World Baseball Classic. Holmes delivered an impressive outing during the Mets’ recent 4-3 victory over Houston at Clover Park, allowing just one run in four innings while effectively integrating his cutter into his pitching repertoire. He utilized the pitch 21 percent of the time, a significant increase from the previous season’s 8.3 percent. “It felt good,” Holmes remarked, emphasizing how the cutter could complement his sinker.

Mendoza acknowledged that if Holmes can effectively incorporate the cutter into his mix, it would elevate his already potent arsenal. “There’s so much movement, life, sink and cut on his pitches,” Mendoza noted, praising his right-hander’s development.

In roster news, the Mets announced after Sunday’s game that they have optioned right-hander Alex Carrillo to Triple-A Syracuse and reassigned lefties Anderson Severino and Matt Turner to minor league camp, trimming their roster to 70 players.

Cristian Pache, primarily known for his defensive prowess in the outfield, has been making an impact at the plate this spring, contributing a double in Sunday’s game. Mendoza expressed his satisfaction with Pache’s progress, stating, “He’s an elite defender. Offensively, his at-bat quality has improved; he’s hit the ball hard up the middle and run the bases well. There are a lot of tools there. It’s good to see the results.”

Additionally, St. John’s University announced that they will honor the memory of Shannon Forde, a longtime Mets media relations official and St. John’s alumna, during the men’s basketball game against Georgetown at Madison Square Garden on Tuesday. Forde passed away from breast cancer ten years ago, and her legacy continues to resonate within the Mets community.

Note: This recap is an independently written summary based on publicly available reporting.