Aug 29, 2025; New York City, New York, USA; New York Mets starting pitcher Jonah Tong (21) delivers a pitch during the third inning against the Miami Marlins at Citi Field. Mandatory Credit: Vincent Carchietta-Imagn Images
New York Mets manager Carlos Mendoza revealed that starting pitching prospect Jonah Tong is in play to potentially start on Sunday in Miami this weekend against the Marlins.
The 22-year-old right-hander was scratched from his normally scheduled start with Triple-A Syracuse on Wednesday, initially raising a question of either an injury or potential promotion.
He is still with Syracuse for the time being.
The Mets’ rotation is being pieced together after Clay Holmes was placed on the 60-day injured list after fracturing his fibula on Friday against the Yankees. Paired with the struggles and injury to Kodai Senga and David Peterson being used as a bulk reliever following an opener, Mendoza and president of baseball operations David Stearns are running out of options.
Zach Thornton was called up to make his MLB debut on Wednesday night, and Jack Wenninger remains an intriguing option for a promotion of his own.
But Tong has some experience in the big leagues, which gives him somewhat of a leg up despite the inconsistencies that have plagued him over the last nine months. Called up in an attempt to save the Mets’ season last year amid their extended collapse, Tong showed ace-like stuff, but not often enough, as he posted a 7.71 ERA in five starts. It was abundantly clear that he needed more seasoning in the minors, which was why he was never really an option to make the big-league team out of camp this spring.
He still has been shaky in Triple-A this year. Despite ranking third in all of Minor League Baseball with 55 strikeouts, he has a 5.68 ERA and a 1.370 WHIP.
The Mets are slated to go with an opener for Thursday’s series finale against the Nationals, with Freddy Peralta getting the ball for Friday’s opener in Miami and Christian Scott toeing the rubber on Saturday.
For more on Jonah Tong and the Mets, visit AMNY.com
