Mets closer Devin Williams placed on injured list, Kodai Senga may get a chance to close

New York Mets closer Devin Williams was placed on the 15-day injured list today with a right shoulder strain, creating an opportunity for Kodai Senga and other bullpen arms to compete for saves late in the season.

Williams missed a game last week due to what the team called "right arm fatigue," returned on Saturday in Pittsburgh, and allowed two runs in a non-save situation. Three days later, the team placed him on the injured list and called up right-hander Jonathan Pintaro to fill his roster spot. Interim manager Andy Green said the Mets believe the injury is "not a long-term serious issue for him."

"I know he's eager to pitch for us before the season ends," Green said. "I also know he wants to take the mound and finish the season strong."

Williams has a 4.66 ERA in 42 appearances this season. He is in the first year of a three-year, $51 million contract.

Given that the Mets are almost certainly out of playoff contention in the National League, Williams' absence is notable mainly because of the intrigue over who might replace him. Around the same time Williams began experiencing shoulder fatigue, the Mets traded away the other four most imposing relievers in their bullpen: Luke Weaver, Brooks Raley, Huascar Brazobán, and A.J. Minter.

Right-hander Daniel Duarte recorded a save in Williams' place last week, but the Mets have other hard-throwing options, including Dedniel Núñez and Jefry Yan.

They also have Kodai Senga, the former All-Star starter who is now being used as a high-leverage late-inning reliever by the Mets. Senga's transition to this role is a public experiment for the Mets, who want to see if he can become a viable bullpen option in 2027, the final year of his contract. Despite his inexperience in this role, Senga remains one of the more seasoned pitchers in the Mets' bullpen.

In two appearances since becoming a full-time reliever, Senga has allowed only one baserunner and has touched 99 mph with his fastball. In short outings, Senga is also determined to rely more heavily on his two best pitches: the four-seam fastball and the ghost forkball.

"He's been really impressive in those bullpen appearances," Green said. "I'm looking forward to seeing him continue to be tested in this way."

Since coming to the United States from Japan, the 33-year-old Senga has been one of the most inconsistent pitchers in the league, with intermittent dominance punctuated by long stretches of significant struggles. After being named an All-Star as a rookie starter in 2023, Senga has dealt with shoulder, lat, and hamstring injuries, as well as mechanical issues exacerbated by his physical condition. When healthy this season, he posted a 9.66 ERA in eight starts.

Despite Senga's appeal as a one-inning reliever, Green has not committed to him in any specific role, let alone as the Mets' primary closer. For now, with Williams out, he is one of several candidates who could earn saves.

"If a player firmly seizes a role and shows dominance in a specific duty, you naturally want to give them a certain level of certainty," Green said. "Players perform best when they know their assignment. But we're not there yet. At the same time, players also perform well when they feel they've earned the opportunity through effort, rather than having it handed to them."