Jonah Tong: Everything you need to know

Tong has posted a 5.68 ERA, 1.39 WHIP and 38:15 K:BB through six starts and 25.1 innings for Triple-A Syracuse. The 22-year-old right-hander is still working on both his control and command -- Tong's issued multiple walks in all six of his starts, and he's served up five homers -- but his 13.5 K/9 in the early going is hard to ignore. The back of the Mets' big-league rotation is a mess, with Kodai Senga (back) having mercifully been placed on the IL and David Peterson struggling badly, and while Christian Scott has already been called up to fill Senga's spot, there could be more changes coming for the 10-21 squad. Tong's biggest obstacle to a promotion might be Syracuse rotation-mate Jack Wenninger, who's produced a 1.61 ERA, 1.27 WHIP and 26:12 K:BB through his first five starts and 22.1 innings this season.

Tong gave up one hit and two walks over four scoreless innings Friday for Triple-A Syracuse. He struck out four. The 22-year-old right-hander hit 96.9 mph with his fastball and fired 42 of 73 pitches for strikes as he took the mound for Syracuse's opener, and including last season, Tong has yet to be charged with an earned run in three career Triple-A starts. Tong fell short of winning a big-league rotation spot this spring, but the top prospect should be one of the first pitchers called upon if the Mets need depth.

The Mets optioned Tong to Triple-A Syracuse on Tuesday. Tong struggled in his lone start this spring -- yielding three runs over 2.2 innings -- but this is more about the Mets having other rotation options, allowing them to give Tong more seasoning at Syracuse. The 22-year-old fanned 22 over 18.2 innings during his time with the Mets last season but also walked nine and posted a 7.71 ERA and 1.77 WHIP. It's likely Tong will wind up making lots of starts for the Mets this season, but for now he'll bide his time in the minors.