Mets’ Kodai Senga to face live hitters next week; status for potential playoff roster spot even murkier

Kodai Senga hasn’t yet taken the mound for the last time this season, but the Mets already know the right-hander’s next appearance won’t occur in a big league uniform.

Prior to their home series opener with the Nationals on Friday afternoon, manager Carlos Mendoza revealed the upcoming plan for Senga, which will include him pitching either live batting practice or a simulated game sometime next week.

“The plan is for him to face hitters again. The question now is, where’s that going to be?” Mendoza explained. “The minor league season ends on Sunday. Now we’re in the process of trying to figure things out, to where we’re going to give him those live looks.”

If the Mets still envision Senga contributing at the major league level again in 2025, time is obviously running out for him to prove he’s ready and worthy of the task. He’s not a lock to make the potential postseason roster, and his latest outing in the minors was underwhelming.

Senga struggled in his second and final start with Triple-A Syracuse on Thursday night, allowing four runs on six hits and two walks with four strikeouts across 3.2 innings. Call it several steps backward, as he logged six frames of one-run ball with eight punchouts on Sept. 12.

“Stuff-wise was down. Whether it was the velo, execution, the secondary pitches weren’t sharp,” Mendoza said. “That’s the report I got, and watching film, you could see it. That’s probably one of the reasons why he’s asking for one more time to face hitters, to continue to work through those issues.”

It’s been a confounding season for Senga, who undisputedly resembled the Mets’ ace before injuring his hamstring in mid-June. But mechanical issues and a patent lack of consistency have plagued him since mid-July — he owns a bloated 6.56 ERA across his last eight starts (35.2 innings).

When asked what the Mets would need to see from Senga moving forward in order to promote him, Mendoza didn’t offer a concrete answer. He called the situation “a tough spot” for proper evaluation, and justifiably so. It’s a role undefined. The clock is ticking for him to regain trust.

Earlier this week, Mets president of baseball operations David Stearns said Senga needs to demonstrate he can “consistently get major league hitters out,” while also emphasizing “results always matter.”

The Mets (79-74) also don’t have the luxury of casually testing Senga’s stuff out during one of their nine remaining regular-season games. They enter the weekend with a narrow two-game lead over the Diamondbacks for the third and final NL wild card spot.

I Love My Apple Watch Series 11, But You Might Not

We may earn a commission from links on this page.

Did you know you can customize Google to filter out garbage? Take these steps for better search results, including adding my work at Lifehacker as a preferred source.

The Apple Watch Series 11 is now available, and just a few days into using a review unit, I’m happy with the upgrade. But whether it’ll be worth it to you is a different story entirely.

Before the Series 11, I was still using a first-generation Apple Watch SE. Since I don’t need much from my smartwatch, the SE was enough for me: basic media playback with heart-rate tracking and tap-to-pay. What more could I want?

But the Series 11 taught me that I could want much more. Its bigger screen with an always-on display is a nice bonus, as is the thinner and lighter design. The problem is that the Apple Watch Series 11 isn’t the first Apple Watch with those bonuses. If you’re like me and haven’t upgraded in a while, the Apple Watch Series 11 is a great pick. But those with a newer Apple Watch may want to hold off and save their money.

What I love most about the Apple Watch Series 11

While the Apple Watch Series 11 comes with a new chip and upgrades to both battery life and wireless connectivity, I’ve already mentioned what I value most about it. Essentially, I just like that this thing is super comfortable to wear. At its release, the Series 10 was Apple’s thinnest and lightest smartwatch, but since the Series 11 has inherited its design, it’s now tied with its successor.

Apple Watch Series 10 in profile (left) vs. Apple Watch Series 11 in profile (right)
Credit: Michelle Ehrhardt

Both hardly feel like you’re wearing anything at all (while I don’t use the Series 10 on a day-to-day basis, my husband has one that he’s letting me borrow to write this). While my SE’s circular sensor bump often feels like it’s jutting into my wrist, both the Series 10 and 11 feel flat on my wrist, thanks to their thinner bodies. It’s a huge relief over an extended period, and it only gets better with the few grams Apple’s knocked off the weight.

The display also contributes to the comfort. Both the Series 10 and the Series 11 have an always-on display, and while an always-on display has been available as far back as the Series 5, this is my first time using one on a watch. The Apple Watch display also got 9% bigger starting on the Series 10, so the Series 11 screen is a bit more luxurious than anyone on a Series 9 or before will be used to.

The bigger, always-on display helps with comfort because it’s much more glanceable. With my SE, I had to raise my wrist to see my watch screen, and the 10 and 11 don’t need that. At 2,000 nits of brightness, they’re easy to see even if your wrist is at your side and slightly turned, and with OLED and a 1Hz refresh rate, the always-on display is able to update every second without wasting unnecessary battery life. Having my screen turn off was probably the biggest annoyance of using a smartwatch over a traditional watch for me, and now it’s something I don’t have to worry about at all.

Apple Watch SE display (left) vs. Apple Watch Series 11 display (right)
Credit: Michelle Ehrhardt

I’m pleased enough with the improved comfort to shell out money for a Series 11 after returning this review unit. I was worried that, because the Series 11 starts at 42mm while my first-gen SE is 40mm, it might feel a bit too big. In actuality, while I still prefer a small watch, it’s turned out to be the better size for me.

What else can the Apple Watch Series 11 do?

If you’re upgrading from an older watch, the Series 11 also gives you access to a lot more sensors. But to be honest, most are overkill. For instance, you can use it as a dive computer down to 6 meters (or about 20 feet), which isn’t particularly handy for most people. But there are some advanced features worth caring about.

First, it’s easier to control this smartwatch than older Apple smartwatches. With watchOS 26, the Series 9, 10, and 11 got support for both the wrist flick and double tap gestures, and they’re both pretty convenient. Think of them as “dismiss” and “confirm,” respectively. You can use wrist flick to turn down notifications, and while you can customize double tap a bit more, the idea is that you’ll use it to start a song or navigate your smart stack without using your hands.

Essentially, the goal is that these features keep you from having to fumble with your watch screen if you’re otherwise occupied. For instance, I got a phone call while working out with the Series 11 this morning (where it was much more comfortable on my wrist than my SE), and quickly rotating my wrist away from my body was all I needed to do to decline the call. Normally, I would have just let it ring until it went to voicemail, so this was a nice way to save myself the distraction.

Aside from the new gestures, the Series 11 also has a few new health features. Like with the depth meter, whether you’ll actually use them depends on who you are, but there are a few in particular that I’m happy to have. For instance, like my colleague Beth Skwarecki, I’m not too enthused about Sleep Score, which tries to break down your sleep quality into one number but seems too generalized for me to get much use out of. Hypertension notifications, on the other hand, are a big deal to me. Hypertension notifications weren’t available on my SE (and still aren’t on any SE, for that matter). Instead, you need an Apple Watch Series 9 or above. What these notifications do is passively track how your blood vessels respond to your heart rate using a PPG, then send you a notification if your watch notices significant irregularities over a 30-day period.

One of the reasons my husband picked up an Apple Watch Series 10 was so he could use the ECG to track his heart rate over time, rather than just when he was working out. This helped him figure out that his heart rate would sometimes be way too high after drinking caffeine or while going to bed, which his doctor eventually diagnosed as AFiB. He might have missed out on this if he didn’t have the data to back it up, but he’s now gotten it treated, and says he feels a lot more stable across the day, with no random spikes (plus, AFiB has the potential to get pretty serious if left untreated, so his doctor is glad he was able to catch it early).

If these Hypertension Notifications, which do a similar thing but for high blood pressure, can help my husband keep his heart healthy, then I’m all for them. He does have to regularly check his blood pressure as part of his ongoing treatment, and while the Apple Watch can’t give him specific numbers, it should help him passively determine what his numbers mean and if he needs to be worried. Plus, I’m interested in trying them, too. The CDC says that “of the 75 million Americans who have hypertension…about 11 million of them don’t know their blood pressure is too high and are not receiving treatment to control it.” Given how well my husband’s Apple Watch helped him diagnose his AFiB, it brings a little extra peace of mind to have it checking for high blood pressure, too.

What’s new on the Apple Watch Series 11?

The catch is that the Apple Watch Series 11 isn’t the only way to get these new features. The thin and light display is on the Series 10, “wrist flick” and “double tap” are on the Series 9 and above, and so are Hypertension Notifications. The Series 11 is a great upgrade over my SE, but if you’ve been more up to date with your Apple Watch, you might not want to get the newest model at all. You’d likely be buying Series 11 for only three things.

First, the Apple Watch Series 11 has a 5G modem. Currently, the Apple Watch Series 11, SE 3, and Ultra 3 are the only Apple Watches with 5G connectivity, whereas older models use LTE, which is a type of 4G. That means these watches are faster, but because 5G is also more efficient than 4G, will also save some battery life when using online features.

Second, the Series 11 has an improved Ion-X glass display. This uses proprietary tech, and Apple says it’s two times more scratch resistant than the Series 10. It’s only available on aluminum models, as titanium models use a slightly less durable sapphire crystal display instead, but it’s also on the SE 3 (the Ultra 3 instead opts for sapphire crystal).

And third, the Series 11 has a longer battery life. While I haven’t had the Series 11 long enough to test its longevity, Apple is claiming 24 hours of battery life on the Series 11 (or 38 in Low Power Mode) versus 18 hours on the Series 10 (or 36 in Low Power Mode). I have a trip coming up, and I’m curious to see how these claims hold up while I’m adventuring away from a plug for a long period of time.

Still, while all of these are nice-to-haves, none of them are as flashy as, say, the thin new body that came with the Series 10. Additionally, if you have a Series 10 and are already careful about scratching your watch or don’t have a cellular plan for it, then you’re not going to get use out of anything but the improved battery life.

Apple Watch Series 10 (left) vs. Apple Watch Series 11 (right)
Credit: Michelle Ehrhardt

Which brings me to my final point. The Apple Watch Series 11 is a great watch if you’re a few years behind on upgrades, but it’s probably worth skipping if you have a Series 10. It’s been a major quality of life improvement for me over my first-gen SE, which came out in 2020, but if it weren’t a different color than the Series 10, my husband might not have been able to tell it apart from what he already has.

That’s why, once I have to return this review unit, I’ll probably spend the $400 to get one. That’s the same price that the Series 10 has been at until now, and while you can currently find the Series 10 at a mild discount at third-party retailers, the new battery life is probably worth the extra $40-50 for me. But my husband, on the other hand, will keep kicking with what’s already on his wrist.

I assume that’s what a lot of other people will do: Upgrade if you’re a few years behind, but otherwise wait. But there’s one other option. (Well, OK, two options if you want to go premium and get the $800 Apple Watch Ultra 3). You could just get an Apple Watch SE 3 instead. Releasing alongside the Series 11, this is a major upgrade over the SE 2, starting at $250 and upgrading that model to include an always-on display, sleep apnea notifications, temperature sensing, 5G, fast-charge, and both the wrist flick and double tap notifications. But it’s not quite as thin as the Apple Watch Series 11, the screen isn’t as big, and it can’t do ECG tracking or Hypertension notifications. I’ve been so thoroughly spoiled by the Series 11 that I’m not sure I can settle for that, but for others, it might be just the sweet spot.

Fantasy Baseball Waiver Wire: Zach Cole, José Caballero and Kai-Wei Teng

One last Waiver Wire for the 2025 season. Thanks to all who have stuck around for the good (Jo Adell, Tyler Soderstrom, Cade Horton) and the not so good (Jordan Walker, Christopher Morel, Jonathan India). Here are some last-minute options for the final seven days of the season.

FANTASY BASEBALL WAIVER WIRE PICKUPS

Zach Cole (OF Astros): Rostered in 2% of Yahoo leagues

Even though they had recently gotten Yordan Alvarez and Jake Meyers back from the injured list, the Astros thought it was worth trying to catch lightning in a bottle by promoting Cole to make his major league debut a week ago. It couldn’t have worked out any better, either; Cole has started five of six games since joining the team and gone 6-for-18 with two homers and seven RBI. And now that Alvarez, unfortunately, has been shelved again, there’s every reason to think he’ll be a lineup fixture the rest of the way.

The 24-year-old Cole has never been viewed as much of a prospect — Fangraphs ranked him No. 30 on a weak Astros list a couple of months ago — but he’s excelled in spite of a scary strikeout rate this year, hitting .267/.363/505 in 82 games in Double-A and .353/.459/.745 in 15 games after an August promotion to Triple-A. He totaled 19 homers, 18 steals and a rather incredible 146 strikeouts in 97 minor league games this season. His 35% strikeout rate in the minors was three percentage points higher than any qualified major league hitter has recorded this season.

So, there’s still good reason to be skeptical about Cole going forward. Next week, though, he’s looking at series in Sacramento and Anaheim against a gaggle of below average starters. He figures to start all five games against righties and maybe the one against lefty Mitch Ferris as well. It should be a terrific week for Astros hitters, so Jesús Sánchez and the returning Isaac Paredes are well worth considering, too.

José Caballero (INF Yankees): Rostered in 26% of Yahoo leagues

Things are set up quite well for MLB’s steal leader in the final week of the season. Caballero has been seeing a lot of time over Anthony Volpe at shortstop of late, and one imagines he’ll start at least four of the Yankees’ final six games against the White Sox and Orioles. He’ll certainly be in there against the two lefties the team is due to face. The Yankees will also probably want him in the lineup when Edgar Quero is catching for the White Sox; the Orioles just went 7-for-7 stealing bases against Quero in his last start Wednesday.

Caballero enters the weekend with 48 steals, and only Chandler Sampson, with 42, has any shot of catching him. One imagines he’ll want to at least make it to 50 before season’s end, and he doesn’t necessarily need to stop there. If the Yankees clinch early, that’d probably be good news for Caballero, as he could get an extra start or two away from shortstop while regulars rest.

Kai-Wei Teng (SP Giants): Rostered in 5% of Yahoo leagues

There isn’t much out there for two-start starters next week, what with teams playing only six games and several already using six-man rotations. Even some of the pitchers who look like they might start twice will be scratched or wind up pitching limited innings during the final weekend. So, the lone SP recommendation here comes from the Giants, who are slated to finish their season at home against the Rockies. Teng will almost certainly pitch Friday in the series opener, with Carson Whisenhunt to follow unless the Giants are still in contention (they could move up Justin Verlander and Logan Webb for the final two games in that case).

Teng, a 26-year-old rookie, has a 6.41 ERA through seven outings, but that comes with a fine 3.30 FIP; he’s allowed just one homer and posted a 33/15 K/BB in 26 2/3 innings. He’s already beaten the Rockies once in Coors, where he allowed two runs and struck out eight in 5 1/3 innings on Sept. 1. He’s gone from throwing his slider about 27% of the time in his first three outings to 46% of the time in his last three, and the league is batting just .214 against the pitch. Given the matchup, he’s well worth a try.

Waiver Wire Quick Hits

– James Schiano just featured Bryce Eldridge (7% rostered) in his column this week, so I wouldn’t feel right doing the same. It should be noted that the Giants have arguably the game’s easiest pitching schedule in the final week, with series against the Cardinals and Rockies, and they’re due to face a left-hander just once. That’s ideal for Eldridge, and it also makes Jung Hoo Lee (37% rostered) worth considering.

– Austin Martin (4% rostered) is batting second regularly for the Twins. He’s hitting .327/.431/.418 this month, and he just stole three bases in three games against the Yankees. He seems like a reasonable play in road series against Rangers and Phillies teams that might not have much to play for.

– Alex Vesia (16% rostered) has been in fine form since returning from a strained oblique, and he picked up a save Thursday. He’s probably the best play among Dodgers relievers for the final week.

Clayton Kershaw announces retirement & Cubs clinch playoffs

Apple Podcasts | Spotify | YouTube

Clayton Kershaw is officially retiring after the 2025 season. The Dodgers legend announced Thursday that this is his last season and tonight will be his last regular season home start. Guest host Dani Wexelman joins Jake Mintz to discuss the future Hall of Famer’s 18-year career with the Dodgers. They take a look back at the impressive accomplishments during his journey to becoming one of MLB’s greatest pitchers. Jake and Dani also discuss what he’s done in his final season.

Later, they discuss the Chicago Cubs clinching the playoffs. The Cubs have locked up a Wild Card spot and Jake and Dani take a look at their season to see how they got to this point. Do they have enough to make a deep postseason run? The two breakdown what has been going well and what is lacking in Chicago. They also discuss who are some key players that have gotten them to this point and will be needed for any success in the playoffs. Plus, Jake and Dani go around the league and chat about the Guardians making the AL Wild Card race interesting, Shohei Ohtani potentially playing the outfield and Justin Verlander announcing he will be back next year.

Finally, it’s everyone’s favorite segment of the week. The Good, The Bad & The Uggla. The Mariners challenge a shift play and win, Vanderbilt is making their baseball team wear uniforms without logos and Trea Turner’s practice is interrupted by a Lumineers concert. These are just a few of the highlights from this week’s segment. Plus, a weekend preview.

All of this and more to get you ready for the second to last weekend of the regular season on Baseball Bar-B-Cast.