May 20, 2026; Washington, District of Columbia, USA; New York Mets starting pitcher Zach Thornton (49) throws the first pitch of his major league debut against the Washington Nationals during the first inning at Nationals Park. Mandatory Credit: Geoff Burke-Imagn Images
Zach Thornton overcame a difficult start to his major-league debut to settle in and suggest just enough that he could be an arm the Mets could keep in the rotation for at least one more turn.
The 24-year-old southpaw gave up a three-run home run to CJ Abrams in the first inning of Wednesday night’s 8-4 loss, gave up one more in the next frame, but then rebounded to set down nine of the final 10 batters he faced, including eight straight.
“I just know that I need to get in the zone,” Thornton said. “I feel as though I belong here. My stuff’s going to play. So if I can just get in the zone, I’ll be alright.”
Thornton displayed a five-pitch arsenal, relying most heavily on a cutter that averaged 86 mph but topped out at 90. Four of the six swings-and-misses he generated came on that pitch. A four-seamer and a sinker also have the ability to sit comfortably in the low 90s, while a high-70s sweeper generated his other two swings-and-misses.
His final line: 4.1 innings pitched, four runs, four hits, three strikeouts, and two walks.
“I thought he competed,” manager Carlos Mendoza said. “They had some good takes on some pitches that were strike-to-ball, but they ran his pitch count up. The one thing I liked, even after he got punched there in the first inning, he didn’t back down. He kept going after it. Pitch count went up, but he competed.”
Making Thornton’s MLB all the more special, regardless of the box score, was the presence of his father, Paul, who made the trip down to D.C. Just seven weeks ago, he underwent surgery to remove a tumor from his spine that resulted in temporary lower-body paralysis. He has not walked since, but is on the road to recovery.
“Super special,” Thornton said. “Just seeing him sitting there in his little wheelchair, it means everything to me. He’s got his own battle that he has to put aside now. We’re gonna get with him for the next 30 days, and hopefully he can bounce back from his rehab.”
For more on the Mets and Zach Thornton, visit AMNY.com
