Senga Allows Two Homers in Spring Debut as Mets Beat Cardinals 3-2
It’s been a long two years for New York Mets starter Kodai Senga. The righty has spent the better part of his Mets career battling injuries since his electric rookie season in 2023, with glimpses and flashes of his potential still overshadowed by his time on the injured list. As well as his mechanics and confidence level being looked at. Beginning on Saturday, in his spring training debut against the St. Louis Cardinals, Senga looked to start a new season on a high note as the Mets beat the Cardinals 3-2.
Senga Allows Two Home Runs, But Velocity Up
In his first game action of the 2026 season, Senga’s velocity ticked up to 98.9 mph, per Statcast, as he pitched 2 2/3 innings against St. Louis. His average velocity was 96.7 mph. On this day, Senga struck out JJ Wetherholt on a slider that hit 86.9 mph to begin the bottom of the second inning. One inning later, he struck out Chase Davis to start what would be his last inning with his patented forkball. The pitch is his bread and butter.
Where Senga struggled was with the home run ball. Both St. Louis runs of the game came on solo home runs allowed by the Mets’ 33-year-old right-hander. In the bottom of the second inning with two outs, Joshua Baez jumped on a first-pitch fastball from Senga and sent it out of the park 388 feet at 102.7 exit velocity. In the bottom of the third inning with one out, Senga allowed a home run on his forkball to Miguel Ugueto. After getting Masyn Winn to ground out, and 50 pitches, Senga’s day was done with two outs in the third inning.
Jack Wenninger Impresses with Five Strikeouts
While Senga is the story of the day, Mets prospect Jack Wenninger made his presence known in the win. Wenninger came on to pitch the final three innings of the game and shut out the Cardinals with five strikeouts, while allowing three hits. In the outing, Wenninger had 11 whiffs and topped at 97.4 mph. He also struck out the side in the eighth inning, with all three coming on his changeup.
Mike Tauchman Drives in Another RBI
With the attention all on Carson Benge in the Mets’ position battle at right field, Mike Tauchman is still having a nice spring of his own since the Mets signed him. In the top of the sixth inning with New York down 2-0, Tauchman got the Mets on the board with an RBI double off the wall in left field.
Brett Baty Goes 2-f0r-3
Brett Baty, this time starting at first base as his merry-go-round spring training continues, had a good day as well by going 2-for-3 and a stolen base. In the top of the fifth inning, Baty singled to left field and then stole second base right after. He then singled to center field on his last at-bat of the day in the seventh inning. Baty scooped up a low throw from Ronny Mauricio as he continues to get used to playing first base.
Player of the Game: Jack Wenninger
The young New York pitching prospect struck out five in three shutout innings.
On Deck:
The Mets will head back home to Port St. Lucie to face the New York Yankees. Freddy Peralta takes the mound for the Mets against Ryan Weathers. The game will be telecast locally on WPIX at 1:10 pm EDT.
The post Senga Allows Two Homers in Spring Debut as Mets Beat Cardinals 3-2 appeared first on Metsmerized Online.