Kodai Senga’s six-inning, one-run tune-up for Syracuse signals a careful reset as he works back from a hamstring strain and a rough return. Eight strikeouts, 52 of 74 strikes, and cleaner mechanics show life as he eyes another big-league turn.

With Senga out, the Mets lean on three rookies—Jonah Tong, Brandon Sproat and Nolan McLean—to chase a late-season wild card, underscoring depth and the high stakes of every rotation decision.

Off the field, Edgardo Alfonzo’s Latin American Hall of Fame induction and a Citi Field moment of silence for Davey Johnson anchor the franchise in its rich history as it navigates the closing weeks.

Kodai Senga, once a rising Mets ace, is sent to Syracuse to reset after a hamstring lapse, as New York eyes a playoff run and shuffles the rotation. Brandon Sproat is bumped up to Sunday at Great American Ball Park, edging Senga from the big league arc. The plan: two bullpen sessions, a pair of Triple-A starts, then a re-evaluation before any postseason summons. The move aims to restore velocity, command, and consistency in a controlled environment while the Mets chase October.

Brandon Sproat is up for Sunday’s start against Cincinnati, the Mets’ third top pitching prospect promoted in a month as the rotation searches for stability. He has a 2.78 ERA over 16 starts since May 25, including a seven-scoreless, nine-Ks effort in his latest outing.

Senga’s struggles forced the reshuffle, with Nolan McLean and Jonah Tong joining the majors from Double-A; McLean is 4-0 through four starts, Tong debuted with a solid effort. The three arms highlight the Mets’ depth as they chase the NL wild-card race against Cincinnati.

Reported by MILB Central, the move underscores the organization’s willingness to lean on its pitching pipeline when needed.

Nolan McLean matched an elite benchmark by starting his big‑league career 4‑0 with a sub‑1.50 ERA and 25+ strikeouts, a feat last achieved by Fernando Valenzuela in 1981. He worked six innings with seven Ks in Detroit, after a rough first inning, signaling a rare rookie poise. The Mets sit 5.5 games back in the NL East with 23 games to play, eyes on an 88–89 win pace as Senga and Manaea try to stabilize the rotation and keep October within reach.

Fantasy takeaway: McLean is a must-watch add while his leash remains short and the upside is sky high. If you own him, back him with a reliable streaming option and monitor matchup-driven innings, since the potential for a long, ace‑level stretch is real if he stays healthy and keeps missing bats.