Zach Thornton likely to start Sunday vs. Red Sox

This should have been Thornton’s first big-league victory, but Francisco Lindor botched a game-ending double play in the ninth and Devin Williams couldn’t pick him up afterwards. Thornton allowed just two hits, walked two and struck out five, using only 82 pitches to get his 21 outs. He definitely made a good case for sticking around as the Mets’ fifth starter, and interim manager Andy Green confirmed after the game that he’d keep the spot following the break. He’s an option in NL-only and deep mixed leagues.

Thornton will start for the Mets in Sunday’s first half finale against the Red Sox. The 24-year-old southpaw has made two starts for the big league club this season, registering a 4.35 ERA, 1.16 WHIP and a 10/3 K/BB ratio over 10 1/3 innings. He could be worth a look as a streaming option on Sunday and is likely to get a real shot to stick in the team’s rotation at some point in the second half.

Senga left with the Mets up 9-4, which put him in line for a rather undeserved victory, but then the Royals scored 12 runs off Austin Warren and Matt Seelinger between the fifth and seventh innings. That might have made Senga look better in comparison, but four walks while generating just six whiffs isn’t a good combination. He’ll be available to pitch Sunday against the Red Sox, but it remains to see what kind of form that will take. The Mets would probably go with a bullpen game if they get length from Freddy Peralta on Saturday.

It went as a tough loss for Senga, who dropped to 0-7. He entered with the Mets down 3-0, but the team rallied to take a 4-3 lead before Senga gave up a two-run homer to Kyle Schwarber in the seventh. Aside from that, Senga was quite good. He got himself into a big jam in the sixth, with Alec Bohm walking to start the inning and Brandon Marsh following with a double. However, he escaped without a run scoring. After Schwarber’s homer in the seventh, Senga retired eight of nine batters to conclude his outing. It might be enough to get him a start next weekend in Atlanta, but we’ll have to wait and see.

Thornton earns a ticket back to the minors with Christian Scott coming off the injured list. The 24-year-old rookie struck out seven and allowed one run over six innings during a no-decision against the Phillies on Friday night. He figures to get an extended opportunity in New York’s rotation in the second half, especially if they remain out of playoff contention, but he’s going to have to wait for now.

Things did not start out well for Thornton here. Trea Turner, Kyle Schwarber, and Bryce Harper greeted him rudely with three consecutive hits to score a run. Then, first baseman Jared Young bailed him out with an excellent diving play to save multiple runs. From there, it was smooth sailing. He allowed just three more baserunners after the Phillies’ initial flurry and forced 13 swings-and-misses. His cutter was the star of the show as his primary pitch to both righties and lefties and he commanded it quite well. This successful audition likely puts him in position to remain in the Mets’ rotation. If so, he’s in for a tough test against the Braves in Atlanta.

Thornton will make his second big-league start tonight against the Phillies. He gave up four runs over 4 1/3 innings in his debut against the Nationals last month, and he had a 4.25 ERA and a 56/23 K/BB in 55 innings as a starter in Triple-A.

Thornton will get another chance as the Mets need a new rotation option with David Peterson traded to the Cubs. The 24-year-old allowed four runs in 4 1/3 innings in his MLB debut against the Nationals in May. Thornton is worth monitoring, but fantasy managers shouldn’t rush to the waiver wire to procure his services.

Senga has a 10.08 ERA in seven starts this season and has not looked like a pitcher the Mets want coming out of the bullpen either. However, he needs to accept a demotion to Triple-A, and the team doesn’t have many other options right now.

Senga was terrific in the first tonight, averaging 97.8 mph on his 12 fastballs and striking out both Pete Crow-Armstrong and Michael Busch in a perfect inning. After that, though, his fastball plummeted to 95 mph on average, he gave the Cubs six free baserunners and two of the three hits he allowed left the yard. After the game, it sounded like his time in the rotation might come to an end for now. In theory, Senga still has enough in the tank, even while throwing 95 mph, to retire major league hitters. he struck out six tonight and allowed just three hard-hit balls. In practice, though, he’s 0-9 with an 8.10 ERA in 15 starts since last year’s All-Star break.