Mets Promote Top Pitching Prospect Jonah Tong, Part Ways with Craig Kimbrel

In a bid to enhance their pitching lineup, the New York Mets have called up promising right-hander Jonah Tong from Triple-A Syracuse. This move comes as the team finds itself just half a game out of last place in the National League East. To make room for Tong, veteran reliever Craig Kimbrel has been designated for assignment, the team announced.

At just 22 years old, Tong has been recognized as the Mets’ top pitching prospect by multiple sources, including MLB.com, Baseball America, and The Athletic. In nine starts for Syracuse this season, he posted a 5.68 ERA, striking out 55 batters while issuing 24 walks over 38 innings. Tong was selected by the Mets in the seventh round of the 2022 draft, coming from Bill Crothers Secondary School in Ontario, Canada.

While the Mets have not specified Tong’s exact role upon joining the major league roster, he is expected to be available for the upcoming game against the Marlins. His last outing for Syracuse was on May 14, and he was scratched from a scheduled start earlier this week, giving him a full week of rest. Although Tobias Myers is slated to start for the Mets, he has not pitched more than three innings in any of his 16 appearances this season.

This marks Tong’s second stint in the majors; he made five starts for the Mets last year, struggling with a 7.71 ERA, 22 strikeouts, and 24 hits allowed in 18 2/3 innings pitched. Prior to his call-up, he led the minor leagues with an impressive 179 strikeouts in 22 starts across Double-A and Triple-A.

The Mets continue to promote their top prospects, with Tong joining outfielders Carson Benge, Nick Morabito, and A.J. Ewing in the majors.

Kimbrel, who is set to turn 38 next week, had a challenging season with a 6.00 ERA over 14 appearances for the Mets. Despite striking out 15 batters in 15 innings, he surrendered 16 hits. Kimbrel joined the team in early April after signing a minor-league deal during spring training. Once a dominant closer in Major League Baseball, Kimbrel has not recorded a save since the 2024 season with the Baltimore Orioles and ranks fifth in MLB history with 440 saves. However, the Mets had no plans to utilize him in that role, having secured Devin Williams for closing duties.

Note: This recap is an independently written summary based on publicly available reporting.