The New York Mets are set to continue their evaluation of young right-hander Jonah Tong, who will once again be part of the major league pitching staff on Tuesday, June 2, in their matchup against the Seattle Mariners. However, the team has decided that Tong will not be used in a traditional starting role for this outing.
Instead, Tong is expected to serve as a bulk reliever behind veteran right-hander Huascar Brazobán, who will open the game for New York. The Mariners will counter with ace right-hander Logan Gilbert in what shapes up to be a competitive interleague contest.
This appearance marks Tong’s third outing at the MLB level, and all of his opportunities so far have come in a hybrid pitching role entering after an opener rather than being deployed as a conventional starter. The Mets have yet to define a permanent role for him, but his continued usage suggests the organization is still evaluating how best to develop his transition into the big leagues.
Tong recently earned a longer look with the major league club after picking up his first MLB win earlier in the month. While the Mets confirmed he would remain with the team, they stopped short of announcing whether he would be stretched out as a full starter or remain in a relief-based capacity.
Manager Carlos Mendoza has consistently leaned on Brazobán as an opener this season, especially in matchups where he prefers to split early innings before turning games over to longer relief arms. Brazobán has been highly effective in that role, posting a strong 1.86 ERA across 25 appearances, making him a reliable bridge to the rest of the bullpen.
In his most recent outing, Tong showed promise despite limited run support and some control issues. Against the Cincinnati Reds, he worked 3.2 innings and threw 76 pitches, allowing no earned runs while giving up just three hits and one unearned run. He did, however, issue four walks and recorded only one strikeout. Brazobán again opened that game with a scoreless inning before handing the ball over, and the Mets’ early offense helped secure a 4–2 victory.
While Tong has yet to be scored upon in his brief major league tenure, command remains an issue. He has issued five walks over 6.2 innings with the big-league club, continuing a trend from his time in Triple-A, where he posted a 5.68 ERA across nine starts despite strong strikeout numbers.
Despite those struggles with control, Tong remains one of the Mets’ most highly regarded pitching prospects. He entered the 2026 season ranked among the organization’s top arms, with analysts viewing him as a potential long-term starter rather than a permanent bullpen piece. His strikeout ability has stood out throughout the minors, but refining his command will be key to unlocking his full potential.
With the Mets dealing with injuries in their pitching staff, including the absence of key arms, the organization appears to be carefully balancing development with immediate competitive needs. For now, Tong’s role as a bulk reliever provides both flexibility for the team and continued exposure to major league hitters as he works toward a more defined future role in the rotation.
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