New York Mets interim manager Andy Green confirmed that prospect Zach Thornton will be part of the team's strategy for Sunday's series finale against the Red Sox. Thornton, 24, is expected to be utilized either as a starter or a bulk reliever, though the specific role is yet to be determined.
Thornton has made two appearances for the Mets this season. His debut against the Nationals saw him allow four earned runs over 4 1/3 innings. However, his second outing against the Phillies was a marked improvement, as he pitched six innings and surrendered only one run. The team hopes his upcoming appearance will reflect the performance seen in his more recent start.
"The things that you love about the guys that have shown up here he has within him. He’s unafraid, he’s going to give you what he’s got," Green said. "He’s going to step on the mound, he’s going to be aggressive. Most days, he’s going to fill up the strike zone, he’s going to attack."
Green added, "He had a really good response against Philly. Gave up three really hard missiles to start that game, and then shut them down the remainder of the game. That’s who I believe him to be, that’s who he is. We have high hopes for what he can become and think he will ultimately be in the rotation. We think he’s the type of guy that will find a way to exceed every expectation of him."
Thornton, the Mets' No. 12 prospect according to MLB.com, has had an uneven season at Triple-A Syracuse, posting a 4.02 ERA over 62 2/3 innings across 13 starts. Despite the inconsistency, he has shown recent improvement, allowing three earned runs over his last 13 2/3 innings pitched while striking out 16 batters. The Mets are currently evaluating their pitching depth, with a need for a No. 5 starter alongside Nolan McLean, Freddy Peralta, Christian Scott, and Sean Manaea, making Thornton's performance potentially crucial for his future with the team beyond the All-Star break.