Mets weigh major league debut for pitching prospect Jonah Tong

The New York Mets are weighing a potential major league promotion for Jonah Tong as they chase a playoff spot, a move increasingly shaped by the performance of their current rookie additions and the growing need for length in a stretched rotation. Tong, 22, has dominated at Syracuse after a rapid rise through the farm system, posting a 1.59 ERA at Double-A before his promotion to Triple-A this month. In two starts in Syracuse, he has been nearly untouchable, delivering 11 2/3 scoreless innings with 17 strikeouts and only eight hits allowed. With the Mets entering a critical stretch, officials are evaluating whether Tong could debut in the majors this season, potentially joining Nolan McLean and Brandon Sproat in a continued youth movement.

Tong’s brief climb to Syracuse this season has been remarkable. Selected in the seventh round in 2022, Tong opened the year at Double-A, where he posted a minuscule 1.59 ERA while fanning more than 40 batters per 100 innings. His transition to Triple-A has barely slowed him, as evidenced by a current 0.00 ERA across two starts and the same high strikeout rate. His delivery and breaking ball have given him a distinct look for hitters, even as...