Zac Thornton Exceeds Expectations in Stellar Rookie Season with Mets

ARLINGTON, Texas — Zac Thornton achieved a primary goal for his season simply by taking the mound in Thursday’s first inning, marking his 28th start across the minor and major leagues. "I met all my goals this year of debuting and making every start," Thornton said after the Mets’ 3-1 loss to the Rangers. "I wanted to finish the year and, obviously, make it up here."

In his final outing, Thornton allowed two earned runs on four hits and one walk through five innings. Josh Jung’s two-run home run in the first inning accounted for the scoring against him.

Thornton concluded his rookie campaign with a 3.42 earned-run average over 15 starts for the Mets, placing him firmly in contention for a rotation spot in the upcoming season. Manager Andy Green commented on his performance, stating, "I don’t think anybody could have had higher expectations than what he went out there and did. That’s a tribute to him and how hard he works and getting more strikeouts here recently too, which is encouraging as well."

Despite the loss, the Mets departed for Washington with a 26-20 record since the trade deadline. Thornton is part of a developing group of young pitchers, including Nolan McLean, Christian Scott, and Jonah Tong, whom the Mets are relying on for rotation answers moving forward.

Thornton expressed his confidence about reaching the majors this year. "I always thought I would be up [in the majors] this year," he said. "I didn’t know to what extent it would be — maybe, like, September to help us make a push to the postseason. It just so happened that we had a few injuries, and then obviously the trade deadline we had open spots, but I wouldn’t say I surprised myself."

Looking ahead, manager Andy Green indicated that Friday’s game against the Nationals might utilize a bullpen game, potentially with an opener, as the Mets are short-handed in the rotation due to recent injuries to Scott and Robert Stock.

Tong and Sean Manaea are slated to start the final two games of the season. The Mets concluded interleague play with a 23-25 record this year.