New York Mets manager Carlos Mendoza needs to create space on a roster filled with veterans and a few younger players, which makes spring training challenging. As a result, the franchise optioned prospect Jonan Tong to minor league camp. Mendoza told New York Post columnist Mike Puma that while he believes the 22-year-old pitcher will have a significant impact on the team’s future, Tong needs to refine parts of his game.
“He’s a big part of what we’re trying to do here. Just go down there and continue to develop and work on some things that you need to work on.”
MLB.com ranks Tong as the Mets’ No. 3 prospect and No. 48 in all of baseball. Under those circumstances, the right-hander can take his time to shore up his weakness before returning to the majors.
Last season, Tong started five games in New York, factoring into every decision, and posted a 2-3 record. In addition, the 7.71 ERA served as cause for concern, as did the 4.3 walks per nine innings. At the same time, Tong’s ability to make batters miss at over one strikeout per inning could eventually pay dividends.
This spring in major league camp, the rookie started one game and posted a 10.13 ERA.
Jonah Tong’s 2Ks in the 2nd. pic.twitter.com/NbIloQjYtn
— Rob Friedman (@PitchingNinja) February 25, 2026
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Tong Heads to Minor League Camp, Needing to Refine Approach
Despite his relatively slight frame (6’1″ and 180 pounds), Tong features four pitches: a four-seam fastball, changeup, curveball, and slider. Of those, the four-seamer and change remain his primary weapons. With his fastball, the pitcher comfortably throws it at 94-97 mph. In addition, the pitch possesses excellent movement.
Meanwhile, the changeup continues to baffle hitters. Tong uses flexibility and a deceptive arm action to get the change to drift away from right-handed batters. Leaving his hand, the ball looks like a fastball until it falls out of the strike zone before reaching the batter.
GettyMets pitcher Jonah Tong pitches during a September 18, 2025 game against the San Diego Padres.
Rotational Logjam and Bad Luck Could Open Door to Return
For pitchers, injury can occur at any moment. As a result, Mendoza and the Mets prepared Tong for this possibility before camp began.
“We were pretty honest with [Tong] from the very beginning, understanding that injuries happen throughout camp. But the most likely outcome was he was probably going to start the year at Triple-A. But having that relationship with him now is more like some of the things he needs to work on.”
Of the seven starting pitchers in the Mets’ depth chart, three were injured in the past year. Kodai Senga suffered a hamstring injury that sent him to the minors after a rough return. Sean Manaea started the season on the injured list with an oblique strain in February 2025, delaying his season debut until July.
GettyMets pitcher Jonah Tong celebrates during an August 29, 2025 game.
Like Senga, he struggled, posting a 5.76 ERA before moving to the bullpen late in the season. Additionally, Christian Scott last pitched on July 21, 2024, missing all of 2025 while recovering from Tommy John surgery. With this in mind, Tong may not have to wait long for another opportunity.
Tong is likely to begin the year in Triple-A. If he reduces his walks, any injury or poor performance by an existing starter could open a spot for him. The team appears to hope Tong pitches like fellow rookie Nolan MacLean, who made the jump last season, earning a starting spot after a 5-1 debut. Can Tong make an impact on the rotation when called up again?
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