Tong has solid outing in return to rotation

Tong will make his first MLB start since June 3. It’s been a tough season for him in Triple-A. Tong has battled some issues with his command en route to a 4.54 ERA, 1.37 WHIP, and 126/59 K/BB ratio in 107 innings at Syracuse. That’s a nearly 13 percent walk rate. We should note that he also has looked much better of late, posting a 0.84 ERA with 23 strikeouts over his last four starts. This is a nice landing spot for him, but he remains a risk in fantasy leagues because you are banking on small-sample command gains carrying over to the big leagues.

Tong will get the promotion to face the Fish in his first MLB outing since June 3. The talented right-hander has pitched well in the minors as of late, but doesn’t have much MLB success. It would be a high-risk, medium-high reward to use him in fantasy for this outing.

Tong was hit extremely hard in three starts for the Mets last year, but has always been able to miss bats at a rate that forces fantasy managers to pay attention. The 23-year-old prospect has put together a handful of encouraging starts at Triple-A Syracuse recently, allowing just two runs with a 23/10 K/BB ratio across 21 1/3 innings since August 11. It seems like a no-brainer for the Mets to give him a look down the home stretch with their playoff hopes basically nonexistent. It’s challenging to recommend Tong in shallow fantasy leagues given his wide range of outcomes, but he offers enough strikeout upside that he’s worthy of a speculative stash in deeper formats.

The 36-year-old hurler was lit up for seven runs on 10 hits and a pair of walks over four innings against the Brewers on Wednesday, so there were obvious concerns over whether or not he’d get a chance to take the ball again. Green noted that the team is monitoring their options in the minor leagues, specifically Jonah Tong, who will make at least one more start at Triple-A Syracuse before rosters expand for September.

All five hits Tong allowed were home runs, which is pretty amazing but certainly not what you’re looking for. Most of the home runs he gave up were on poorly located pitches that landed far too close to the middle of the plate. Command has been a huge issue for Tong this season, and the 23-year-old has posted a 5.46 ERA in Triple-A. It’s also come at the worst time, as the Mets could really use some help in the rotation.

The New York Post’s Jon Heyman says it’s a hip issue, and it’s supposed to be relatively minor. Jonah Tong could be recalled to fill in for him. Kodai Senga was expected to make another rehab start, but he could be activated early.

Tong had two good outings after first being called up from Triple-A, but he really struggled on Tuesday, allowing five runs (four earned) in 3 1/3 innings against the Mariners. The 22-year-old struggled with walks in Triple-A this year and also walked seven batters in 10 innings since being called up. He’ll continue to work on his command down in Triple-A, with the Mets likely getting Kodai Senga (back) back in the rotation next week.

Huascar Brozobán opened the game with a scoreless first inning, then gave up a two-run homer to Patrick Widsom in the second. Brozobán would hand it over to Tong with two outs and one runner on. Tong would get out of the inning with a strikeout. Seattle would bring an unearned run in to score on two errors in the third. Tong then loaded the bases in the fourth inning and gave up one run on a sacrifice fly. Things fell apart in the fifth, with Jhonny Pereda taking him deep for a three-run blast. Tong’s day would be done after the fifth. He stuck out four. The 22-year-old right-hander had come into Tuesday’s action with 6 2/3 scoreless innings in two long relief outings. This spot in the rotation is due up against the Cardinals in New York next Tuesday, but Kodai Senga should be ready to return following his final rehab start on Wednesday.

David Peterson’s demotion to the bullpen in conjunction with nebulous roles for Jonah Tong and Sean Manaea have created an opportunity for Senga to have a meaningful role with the Mets again. The 33-year-old will make his likely final rehab start later this week before returning to New York’s pitching mix, most likely as a traditional starter, at some point next week.

Tong was not as sharp here compared to his season debut against the Marlins last time out. There was some shoddy defense behind him – including his own error which led to an unearned run – but his changeup lacked serious bite and his curveball was literally all over the place. The one saving grace was his cutter. While also being erratic, it flashed as the exact swing-and-miss offering he’s desperately searching for to pair with his lively fastball. Tong is taking baby steps and should be left on waiver wires as he tries to build up his repertoire while working in this bulk relief role.