Mets To Select Zach Thornton This Week

Key Points:

• The New York Mets plan to promote pitching prospect Zach Thornton this week, with manager Carlos Mendoza confirming Thornton will have a role on Wednesday, either as a starter or a bulk reliever behind an opener.
• Thornton, 24, was a 2023 fifth-round pick who impressed in 2025 with a 1.98 ERA over 72 2/3 innings between High-A and Double-A, striking out 28.5% of batters and maintaining excellent command despite average fastball velocity around 91 mph.
• Ranked among the Mets' top prospects (#10 by Baseball America), Thornton has continued to perform well in 2026 across Double-A and Triple-A, posting a 3.16 ERA with strong strikeout and ground ball rates.
• His promotion is partly due to injuries in the Mets' bullpen, notably Clay Holmes's fractured fibula, which has created a vacancy in the rotation that Thornton is expected to fill at least for a spot start.
• It remains uncertain whether Thornton will stay with the major league club beyond his initial start or return to the minors, as the Mets consider other options like Sean Manaea, Tobias Myers, or additional prospects for upcoming rotations.