3 things to know about NY Mets' rookie pitcher ahead of his MLB debut
Zach Thornton, the Mets' No. 13 prospect, will make his MLB debut as a starter or bulk reliever on Wednesday against the Nationals.
WASHINGTON, D. C. — The situation in the Mets' starting rotation is fluid following the loss of Clay Holmes to a fractured fibula, but it will be 24-year-old Zach Thornton who will occupy that opening the first time turn through that spot on Wednesday night.
Mets manager Carlos Mendoza said that the left-hander, the club's No. 13 prospect according to MLB Pipeline, will be used in some capacity to eat innings against the Nationals in the third game of the series on Wednesday. The major league debutant could be used as a starting pitcher or behind an opener against the explosive Nationals offense depending on the state of the Mets' bullpen following the series' opening two games.
"He earned it the way he's been throwing the ball, especially at the Triple-A level," Mendoza said. "We like as a lefty against this lineup, his ability to throw strikes, his pitchability. There was a lot of names.
Jonah (Tong) was one of them, obviously, but at the end we decided to go with that. " Mendoza said the situation is "one outing at a time here," with the way the Mets' rotation is currently constructed. Christian Scott is lined up for Monday's start in the series opener, while Nolan McLean will be penciled in for Tuesday's action.