Jorge Polanco Homers in Rehab Game as Jonah Tong Struggles on Mound for Syracuse Mets

Jorge Polanco made headlines on Thursday night as he took the field for the Syracuse Mets, marking a significant moment in his rehabilitation journey. With the Mets trailing 1-0 in the first inning, Polanco showcased his power by launching a 91 mph fastball from Worcester Red Sox pitcher Devin Sweet over the right-center field wall. The homer, which traveled 342 feet and boasted an exit velocity of 103 mph, not only tied the game but also marked Polanco’s first hit since beginning his rehab stint with Syracuse on June 2.

In the game, the Mets’ first baseman/designated hitter went 1-for-2 with a walk. Prior to his stint on the injured list, Polanco played 14 games with the Mets, where he managed a .179 batting average, hitting one home run and driving in two runs. His first season in Flushing has been plagued by injuries, starting with an Achilles strain that hindered his ability to play first base. Despite his efforts to push through the pain, a subsequent right wrist strain ultimately led to his placement on the IL. Recently, Polanco expressed optimism about his recovery, stating he felt “stronger” while managing the persistent discomfort in his Achilles.

On the mound for Syracuse was Jonah Tong, who faced challenges throughout his outing. The young right-hander struggled to find his rhythm, allowing the Red Sox to score in each of the first three innings. His performance included two solo home runs, contributing to a total of three runs on four hits and two walks over five innings. Although Tong’s ERA dipped to 5.90 following this outing, he has faced difficulties in keeping opposing teams off the scoreboard, with Thursday marking the fourth time in his last five games that he has surrendered at least three runs.

In other notable developments, Luis Robert Jr. continued his rehab, finishing the game 0-for-4 with two strikeouts while playing center field for all nine innings. This marked Robert’s second rehab start, bringing his combined total to 1-for-6 with a walk and a double. Additionally, MJ Melendez, who was recently optioned when Tyrone Taylor returned from the IL, contributed to the game with a 1-for-3 performance that included a home run, a walk, and two strikeouts. Ryan Clifford, representing the Mets in the upcoming All-Star Futures Game in Philadelphia, struggled at the plate, going 0-for-4 with three strikeouts, leaving him with a .190 batting average and 14 home runs this season.

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