In need of a starter following Clay Holmes’ fibula fracture, the Mets are calling up left-hander Zach Thornton from Triple-A Syracuse.
According to manager Carlos Mendoza, Thornton could start on Wednesday against the Nationals, but there also could be an opener in front of him.
The 24-year-old Thornton is ranked by Joe DeMayo as the No. 13 overall prospect in the Mets’ system, with DeMayo writing that Thornton “has the best control and command in the system and is among the best in all of minor league baseball.”
After making five starts with Double-A Binghamton to start the 2026 season, Thornton moved up to Triple-A Syracuse, where he’s made two starts and pitched to a 2.25 ERA.
“He earned it,” Mendoza said. “The way he’s been throwing the ball, especially at the Triple-A level. We like him as a lefty against this lineup. His ability to throw strikes, his pitchability.
“There were a lot of names, Jonah [Tong] was one of them obviously, but in the end we decided to go with Zach.”
With Kodai Senga and Holmes on the IL, the Mets needed to fill a spot in the rotation. For now, the five-man group includes Freddy Peralta, McLean, Christian Scott, Thornton [potentially with an opener], and David Peterson, who has been pitching in a bulk reliever role with an opener in front of him.
Mendoza said that the Mets will take things “one outing at a time” with Thornton before deciding whether or not he stays in the majors.
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