WASHINGTON — Clay Holmes’ absence has created an opportunity for the Mets to give a highly regarded minor league pitcher a shot.
Zach Thornton will be that roster addition on Wednesday, when he is scheduled for his major league debut, either as the starting pitcher or in a bulk relief role, according to manager Carlos Mendoza.
Thornton, a 24-year-old lefty, has pitched to a 3.16 ERA in seven minor league starts this season.
He last pitched on Friday, throwing six shutout innings for Triple-A Syracuse.
That same night, Holmes took a line drive off Spencer Jones’ bat in the Subway Series and was diagnosed with a fractured right fibula that will keep him sidelined until the second half of this season.
Holmes led the Mets rotation with a 2.39 ERA over nine starts this season.
Several options were considered for Holmes’ spot — Jack Wenninger and Jonah Tong were other possibilities at Syracuse, along with Tobias Myers and Sean Manaea, both of whom have been working in long relief.
“[Thornton] earned it by the way he’s been throwing the ball, especially at the Triple-A level,” Mendoza said before the Mets opened a four-game series against the Nationals. “We like, as a lefty against this lineup, his ability to throw strikes, his pitchability. There were a lot of names, but we decided to go with Zach.”
But it’s not a given that Thornton will receive an extended run with the team, according to Mendoza, as bullpen needs might arise after his Wednesday appearance that force a roster move.
Thornton, a fifth-round selection in the 2023 draft, had two strong starts for the Mets in spring training, will need to be added to the 40-man roster.
Organizational officials are high on Thornton for his fearlessness in attacking hitters and his makeup.
“He’s unfazed, whether he struck out the side or gave up a couple of doubles and a homer,” a Mets evaluator said. “I think that is a big separator for him — his resiliency. I think the New York fans will embrace this type of personality. He just gets after it and is really impressive. He’s been outstanding this year.”
Thornton throws a low 90s fastball as part of an arsenal that also includes a cutter, slider, changeup, sweeper, curveball and two-seam fastball.
He’s considered to have one of the most complete repertoires in the Mets system.
“He came up and made a couple of starts for us [in spring training], and that’s kind of what we were getting from player development: a guy that is going to move the ball around. He’s going to throw strikes and he’s going to continue to do that, so he’s going to get that opportunity.”
Tong has pitched to a 5.68 ERA in nine starts for Syracuse, but organizational officials remain encouraged by other factors, including his 55 strikeouts in 38 innings.
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Tong pitched for the Mets last season, posting a 7.71 ERA in five starts.
Wenninger has pitched to a 1.51 ERA in eight starts for Syracuse, but his 22 walks in 35 ²/₃ innings are somewhat of a concern.
Myers has filled various roles for the Mets, but moving him into the rotation would potentially weaken the bullpen.
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Myers has opened, closed, and worked in long relief for the Mets this season.
Manaea has mostly struggled in a long relief.
He owns a 6.26 ERA following his four-inning stint against the Yankees on Sunday, during which he surrendered two earned runs.
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