Mets likely to call up top pitching prospect Jonah Tong for start vs. Marlins
The Mets are strongly considering giving Jonah Tong another major league start, possibly early next week against Miami. Tong has shown improvement recently after a mixed season at Triple-A. The team is evaluating pitchers for next season, and Tong could help manage the workload of Christian Scott.
Tong’s path back to the majors has been uneven. After leading all minor-league pitchers in strikeouts last year, he struggled to find consistency at Syracuse this season while adjusting his arm slot and leaning more heavily on his breaking pitches. Those mechanical tweaks produced a 4.54 ERA across 23 starts, but his last three outings suggest the adjustments are taking hold, including a no-hit bid that lasted into the seventh inning.
The Mets face a delicate balancing act with their rotation down the stretch. Christian Scott, returning from Tommy John surgery, has already thrown 94 1/3 innings and posted a 6.04 ERA in August, prompting the club to limit him to extra rest. Adding Tong for a spot start against Miami would give the team a look at his development while buying Scott additional recovery time.
This decision could ripple through the Mets’ roster planning and fan expectations. If Tong performs well, he may solidify himself as a rotation option for next season, potentially altering offseason acquisitions. His success could also ease pressure on Scott, whose workload management is critical for long-term health. Conversely, a rough outing might reinforce doubts about his consistency, affecting how the front office values him in trade or depth discussions. For fans, it offers a glimpse of the franchise’s future during a season where playoff positioning remains uncertain.