FLUSHING, N.Y., – The New York Mets today announced that they have signed RHP Kodai Senga to a five-year contract. The deal, which includes a player opt-out clause after the 2025 season, runs through 2027.
Senga, 29, spent the last 11 seasons in Japan’s Nippon Professional Baseball with the Fukuoka Softbank Hawks. He went 87-44 with a 2.59 ERA (313 ER/1,089.0 IP) and 1,252 strikeouts (10.3 K per 9) while winning six Japan Series titles since his debut in 2012, including four straight championships from 2017-2020.
“Kodai has a championship pedigree and has excelled on the brightest of stages,” Mets Owner, Chairman and CEO Steve Cohen said. “We are very excited to welcome Kodai to our Mets family in Queens.”
The 6-1, 202-pounder went 11-6 with a 1.94 ERA (31 ER/144.0 IP), 156 strikeouts, 1.06 WHIP and a 0.4 HR/9 rate in 22 starts in 2022 with the Hawks.
Senga is a three-time NPB All-Star (2013, 2017 and 2019), a two-time Pacific League Best Nine Award winner (2019, 2020), a two-time Mitsui Golden Glove Award winner (2019, 2020), has led the Pacific League in strikeouts twice (227 in 2019 and 149 in 2020) and led the Pacific League in wins with 11 in 2020.
Kodai has been on our radar for a number of years,” Mets General Manager Billy Eppler said. “I can’t thank Steve and Alex enough for their commitment to our fans and winning. Kodai has had exceptional success in his career, including helping lead his team to four consecutive Japan Series titles. We’re thrilled to add someone with his ability to our rotation.”
Senga struck out 16 and allowed one earned run over 11.0 innings in three games earning 2017 WBC All-Tournament Team honors. He hurled 3.0 scoreless innings in two appearances to help Japan earn a gold medal at the Tokyo Olympics last summer.
The Gamagori, Aichi, Japan native tossed a no-hitter with 12 strikeouts on September 6, 2019 vs. the Chiba Lotte Marines.
Senga will become the 14th Japanese-born player to appear in at least one game for the Mets, the most by any major league team.
