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Mets' Zac Thornton: Gets plenty of support in victory
Rotowire
Thornton (2-1) earned the win over Atlanta on Monday, allowing three runs on six hits and one walk while striking out five batters over 6.1 innings.
Thornton struggled a bit out of the gate, allowing three first-inning singles, but a double play helped him escape with just one run on his ledger. The Mets' offense responded with a run in the bottom of that frame and went on to score 14 times, aiding the rookie righty in his second straight victory. Thornton continues to thrive despite not missing a ton of bats -- he had a modest nine whiffs and five punchouts, and he's compiled just 22 strikeouts across 29.2 innings on the campaign. That dents his fantasy appeal a bit, but Thornton has still been a really nice find so far, as he's recorded a 2.43 ERA and 0.91 WHIP through five MLB starts.
Thornton (1-1) earned the win Tuesday against the Brewers, allowing three hits and one walk while striking out two over six scoreless innings.
Thornton threw 53 of his 81 pitches for strikes and picked up the first major-league victory of his career. The left-hander allowed just one hit through his first five innings and retired 13 consecutive batters during one stretch before finishing with his second straight scoreless outing. Thornton has now thrown 18 consecutive shutout innings and through his first four major-league starts he owns a 1.93 ERA, 0.86 WHIP and 17:6 K:BB across 23.1 innings. He's lined up to make his next start Monday at home against Atlanta.
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Mets' Zach Thornton: Impresses in seven-inning start
Rotowire
Thornton struck out five and allowed two hits and two walks over seven scoreless innings in a no-decision during Sunday's 3-2 extra-inning loss to the Red Sox.
The Mets called Thornton up from Triple-A Syracuse to step in as their fifth starter, after the team had previously opted for a bullpen day when the fifth spot in the rotation last came up Tuesday. In what was just his third big-league start, Thornton delivered an eye-opening performance, needing just 82 pitches to record his 21 outs while limiting the damage to just two free passes and a pair of base hits. After Thornton's excellent outing, interim manager Andy Green told Anthony DiComo of MLB.com that the rookie will retain a spot in the big-league rotation to open the second half. The Mets have already locked in Christian Scott, Sean Manaea, Nolan McLean and Freddy Peralta as their starters for the first four games out of the All-Star break, so Thornton will presumably make his next start July 21 in Milwaukee.
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Mets' Zach Thornton: Promoted for Sunday's start
Rotowire
The Mets recalled Thornton from Triple-A Syracuse ahead of his start against the Red Sox on Sunday.
The left-hander went back to Syracuse after delivering a quality start against the Phillies on June 26, and he'll rejoin the Mets to start the final game before the All-Star break. In addition to that outing, Thornton made one previous start in the majors this season, giving up four runs across 4.1 innings at Washington on May 20.
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Mets' Zach Thornton: Set to join rotation Sunday
Rotowire
Thornton is expected to be called up from Triple-A Syracuse to pitch in Sunday's game against the Red Sox, Will Sammon of The Athletic reports.
Thornton will likely start or serve as a bulk reliever in Sunday's first-half finale, but the Mets haven't revealed their plans for the 24-year-old just yet. The southpaw has previously made two starts in the majors this season, giving up five earned runs while striking out 10 batters and walking three across 10.1 innings. Although he hasn't yet been able to claim a regular spot in the New York rotation, that could change within the next couple of weeks, depending on what moves the Mets make ahead of the trade deadline.
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Mets' Zach Thornton: Back in minors
Rotowire
The Mets optioned Thornton to Triple-A Syracuse on Saturday.
Thornton gave up just one run over six innings during his start against the Phillies on Friday, but it wasn't enough to buy him another turn through the rotation despite the fact that the Mets have only one more scheduled off day before the All-Star break and still need a fifth starter. He'll instead head back to Triple-A to make room for the return of Christian Scott (hip) from the injured list. Now with a 4.35 ERA and 1.16 WHIP through 10.1 innings across his first two MLB starts, Thornton figures to be called upon again later in the year.
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Mets' Zach Thornton: Impresses in return
Rotowire
Thornton did not factor into the decision in Friday's 2-1 loss to the Phillies, allowing one run on five hits and one walk with seven strikeouts over six innings.
Making just his second career major-league start, Thornton allowed a run in the first inning before settling in with five scoreless frames. He threw an impressive 54 of 78 pitches for strikes with 13 whiffs while logging his first career quality start. The rookie southpaw likely earned himself another turn in the Mets' rotation, which would line him up for a road matchup against Atlanta next weekend.
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Mets' Zach Thornton: Summoned ahead of Friday's outing
Rotowire
The Mets recalled Thornton from Triple-A Syracuse on Friday.
Thornton is slated to either start or pitch in bulk relief Friday against the Phillies. The left-hander made a spot start in May in his major-league debut, permitting four runs on four hits and two walks in 4.1 innings in a loss to the Nationals. The southpaw holds a 4.25 ERA and 56:23 K:BB over 55 innings this season between Double-A Birmingham and Syracuse. Thornton could get an opportunity to make multiple starts for the Mets if he pitches well.
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Mets' Zach Thornton: Getting call to pitch Friday
Rotowire
The Mets will recall Thornton from Triple-A Syracuse to pitch Friday against the Phillies, Will Sammon of The Athletic reports.
It's unclear whether he'll be in store for a traditional start or a bulk-relief outing, but Thornton has a chance to remain in the Mets rotation for a while following the trade of David Peterson and demotion of Kodai Senga to the bullpen. Thornton struggled in a spot start in his major-league debut last month, allowing four runs on four hits and two walks in 4.1 innings in a loss to the Nationals. The lefty holds a 4.25 ERA and 56:23 K:BB over 55 innings this season between Double-A Birmingham and Syracuse.
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Mets' Zach Thornton: Back to Triple-A
Rotowire
Thornton was optioned to Triple-A Syracuse on Saturday.
Thornton made a surprise big-league debut with a spot start Wednesday in Washington, and he dealt with some growing pains, giving up four earned runs on four hits and two walks while striking out three in 4.1 innings. Thornton, a 6-foot-3 lefty, sits 91-92 mph with his two fastballs and threw his 86-mph cutter 50 percent of the time Wednesday. He earned the spot start by logging a 3.16 ERA, 1.19 WHIP and 40:12 K:BB in 37 innings across seven starts split between Double-A and Triple-A.
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Mets' Zach Thornton: Ambushed in big-league debut
Rotowire
Thornton (0-1) took the loss Wednesday against Washington, allowing four runs on four hits and two walks in 4.1 innings. He struck out three.
Making his first career major-league start, Thornton struggled across the board Wednesday. The Nationals ambushed the southpaw for three runs in the first inning, but Thornton was at least able to settle down a bit afterward and hold Washington to one run across his next 3.1 frames. He's next tentatively set to take the ball against the Reds for the next turn through the rotation, but it remains to be seen if the Mets will call up Jonah Tong to fill that slot.
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Mets' Zach Thornton: Called up ahead of MLB debut
Rotowire
The Mets selected Thornton's contract from Triple-A Syracuse ahead of his scheduled start Wednesday in Washington.
New York optioned reliever Daniel Duarte to the minors to clear room on the active roster for Thornton, who will be making his MLB debut Wednesday. The 24-year-old lefty will get a look in the New York rotation after he compiled a 3.55 ERA, 1.18 WHIP and 33:10 K:BB over 33 innings across six starts between Syracuse and Double-A Binghamton. Though Kodai Senga (spine) seems to be trending toward a return from the injured list in the next couple weeks, the back end of the rotation has been a trouble spot for the Mets all season. With that in mind, Thornton could end up sticking around in a starting role on a more permanent basis if he's able to find success in his initial opportunities with the big club.
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Mets' Zach Thornton: Starting Wednesday
Rotowire
Thornton will start Wednesday's game against the Nationals, Anthony DiComo of MLB.com reports.
Thornton's start Wednesday will mark his MLB debut, and the Mets have officially decided not to use the 24-year-old southpaw behind an opener. He'll be filling the opening left in New York's rotation by Clay Holmes (leg) and should receive several opportunities to make an impression with the big club before Kodai Senga (back) returns from the IL in a few weeks.
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Mets' Zach Thornton: MLB debut set to come Wednesday
Rotowire
The Mets plan to call up Thornton from Triple-A Syracuse to pitch in Wednesday's game in Washington, Anthony DiComo of MLB.com reports.
New York has yet to announce whether Thornton will be utilized as a starter or a bulk reliever in his MLB debut, but in either case, he'll be assuming the rotation spot of Clay Holmes, who was placed on the injured list over the weekend after fracturing his right fibula during Friday's loss to the Yankees. Thornton, a 24-year-old lefty, isn't regarded as a major prospect but has been highly effective between stops at Double-A Binghamton and Syracuse this season, logging a 3.55 ERA, 1.18 WHIP and 33:10 K:BB in six starts. The Mets are expected to get Kodai Senga (spine) back from the IL within the next few weeks, but Thornton could still be well positioned to maintain a more permanent spot in the rotation if he can carry over his success from Double-A and Triple-A in his first taste of the majors.
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Mets' Zach Thornton: Dark-horse candidate for promotion
Rotowire
Thornton could be a candidate to be called up from Triple-A Syracuse to replace the injured Clay Holmes (fibula) in the Mets' big-league rotation.
Holmes was struck by a comebacker Friday and fractured his right fibula, creating another hole in the rotation. While Thornton doesn't have the prospect pedigree of Jonah Tong or Jack Wenninger, the 24-year-old southpaw has added velocity and advanced quickly through the system since being a fifth-round pick in the 2023 First-Year Player Draft. Thornton's two-seam and four-seam fastballs sit in the low 90s but can touch 95 miles per hour, and he also works with a potentially plus slider, a cutter, a changeup and a curveball. He was promoted to Triple-A at the beginning of May, and through two starts for Syracuse he sports a 2.25 ERA, 0.92 WHIP and 13:3 K:BB over 12 innings. Thornton isn't yet on the 40-man roster, but he's on turn to potentially replace Holmes, having also pitched Friday.
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