The San Diego Padres have checked in on New York Mets pitcher Kodai Senga as the trade deadline approaches, according to a report from Joel Sherman. The inquiry signals that San Diego is actively exploring rotation options before the deadline passes.

The 33-year-old right-hander has endured a brutally difficult 2025 campaign, posting an 8.66 ERA and a 6.50 FIP across 44.2 innings of work — numbers that paint the picture of a pitcher who has struggled to find any consistent footing this season.

It is a jarring contrast to what Senga showed in 2023, when he emerged as one of the more electric starters in the National League and established himself as a frontline arm. That breakout performance now feels like a distant memory given his current struggles.

Whether the Padres' interest translates into a formal offer remains to be seen, but the fact that they have made contact suggests they believe there may be upside worth gambling on in Senga — at the right price. Deadline day could bring clarity on whether this early inquiry develops into something more concrete.