NEW YORK, July 2026 – The New York Mets called up right-handed pitcher Zach Thornton from Triple-A Syracuse on Sunday, optioning RHP Tobias Myers in a corresponding move. Thornton will make his third career major league start against the Boston Red Sox at Citi Field.
The decision, announced Saturday afternoon, comes as the Mets (49-45) cling to playoff hopes in a crowded National League wild-card race. Thornton, 27, has a 3.12 ERA and 68 strikeouts over 72 innings in Triple-A this season. His promotion signals the organization’s willingness to shake up a rotation that has posted a 4.67 ERA since June 1.
This is not Thornton’s first taste of the big leagues. He debuted in 2024, posting a 4.50 ERA over two starts. Those appearances—both in low-leverage situations—provided little preparation for Sunday’s assignment: a Red Sox lineup that leads MLB in runs per game (5.41) since the All-Star break.
Thornton’s pitching style relies on a mid-90s fastball and a sharp slider that generates whiffs on 34% of swings in Triple-A. The Mets need command. Boston’s lineup features left-handed hitters who slug .472 against right-handed pitching.
The corresponding move—sending Tobias Myers back to Syracuse—carries its own subtext. Myers, 25, allowed eight earned runs over 11 innings in his last three appearances, ballooning his ERA to 5.79. Amazin’ Avenue joked the team should rename I-81 the “Tobias Myers Expressway” for his frequent trips between Queens and upstate New York.
SNY reported Sunday morning the Mets are considering keeping Thornton in the rotation for his next start after the All-Star break. That decision would affect trade-deadline calculations for Kodai Senga and Jose Quintana, both potential rental chips.
Fantasy baseball managers noticed. CBS Sports’ fantasy news page for Thornton received a 429 error—too many requests—as traffic spiked Saturday night.
| Metric | Thornton (Triple-A) | Myers (MLB) |
|---|---|---|
| ERA | 3.12 | 5.79 |
| Strikeouts per 9 IP | 8.5 | 7.2 |
| WHIP | 1.21 | 1.48 |
| Walk rate | 2.8% | 4.1% |
A single start cannot define a season. But the Mets, hovering near .500, need a spark. Thornton offers the quiet, efficient stability the rotation lacks. Sunday’s game—first pitch at 1:35 PM ET—will test whether he can deliver.
Watch it. The season depends on it.
💡 Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
- Q: Why was Zach Thornton called up to the Mets?
- A: Thornton was called up from Triple-A Syracuse to start against the Boston Red Sox, as the Mets aim to improve their rotation’s performance and stay competitive in the wild-card race.
- Q: What are Zach Thornton’s key stats this season?
- A: Thornton has a 3.12 ERA and 68 strikeouts over 72 innings in Triple-A, relying on a mid-90s fastball and a sharp slider with a 34% whiff rate.
- Q: How does Thornton’s promotion affect the Mets’ rotation?
- A: Thornton replaces Tobias Myers, who was optioned after allowing eight earned runs over his last 11 innings. His addition signals a strategic shake-up to address the rotation’s 4.67 ERA since June.
Extended Reading
For further context, SNY detailed the promotion and its implications for the Mets’ pitching staff. Amazin’ Avenue covered the Myers demotion with analysis of the team’s roster depth. CBS Sports noted fantasy interest in Thornton, though their page crashed due to high demand.