The New York Mets have plenty of depth in their starting rotation heading into the 2026 MLB season, which ultimately led to one of their top pitching prospects beginning the year in the minor leagues.
Jonah Tong, a highly regarded young arm in the organization, was optioned to Triple-A Syracuse during spring training. While the move may disappoint some fans, Mets manager Carlos Mendoza made it clear the decision was about development rather than performance.
A crowded Mets rotation
New York’s rotation already appears largely set for Opening Day.
Following the offseason trade for former Milwaukee Brewers ace Freddy Peralta, the Mets expect their starting staff to feature:
- Freddy Peralta
- Nolan McLean
- Clay Holmes
- Kodai Senga
- Sean Manaea
- David Peterson
With that level of depth, there simply wasn’t an immediate opening for Tong in the major-league rotation.
Tong still developing after brief MLB debut
Tong has dominated at the minor-league level and is widely viewed as a future frontline starter for the Mets.
However, his brief stint in the majors during 2025 showed he still has areas to refine. Across five starts, the young right-hander posted a 7.71 ERA, highlighting the adjustments still needed against big-league hitters.
Given the Mets’ strong pitching depth, the organization felt it was best for Tong to continue developing in Triple-A rather than sitting in a limited role in the majors.
Carlos Mendoza explains the decision
Speaking to reporters before a March 20 exhibition game against the St. Louis Cardinals, Mendoza addressed the decision to send Tong to the minors.
“He’s a big part of what we’re trying to do here,” Mendoza said. “Just go down there and continue to develop and work on some things that you need to work on.”
The Mets were transparent with Tong about the situation throughout spring training.
“We were pretty honest with him from the very beginning,” Mendoza explained. “Injuries happen throughout camp, but the most likely outcome was that he was going to start the year at Triple-A.”
Mendoza also praised Tong’s professionalism and approach to improvement.
“He’s a humble guy that wants to continue to get better,” Mendoza said. “He’s always asking good questions, and we like the way he handles adversity.”
Likely to see the majors again soon
Although Tong will begin the season in the minors, his time there may not be long.
Starting pitchers frequently deal with injuries throughout a season, and teams often rely heavily on organizational depth to fill rotation gaps.
If the Mets need another starter at any point during 2026, Tong is expected to be one of the first players considered for a call-up.
For now, the organization believes additional development time will help ensure that when he returns to the majors, he’s ready to become a long-term fixture in the Mets’ rotation. ⚾
Leave a Reply