The New York Mets’ difficult 2026 campaign continues to force roster adjustments as the team looks for stability on the pitching side. Sitting at 26-35 on the season and already off to an 0-2 start in June against the Seattle Mariners, the Mets are now making another notable move aimed at managing their overworked bullpen.
Following a stretch in which New York used 10 different pitchers over just two games, the organization has decided to option promising right-hander Jonah Tong back to Triple-A, despite his respectable 3.60 ERA at the major league level this season.
According to reporting from Will Sammon of The Athletic, the decision is less about performance and more about workload management. The Mets are attempting to “refresh” a fatigued bullpen that has been heavily taxed in recent outings, forcing the front office to prioritize fresh arms over roster continuity.
Tong’s demotion comes after a series of high-usage games for New York’s pitching staff. On Monday, the Mets leaned on six different pitchers in a single game, including extended contributions from starters and relievers alike. The following night, the bullpen was again pressed into heavy action, with multiple pitchers covering short but frequent appearances to bridge innings.
In Tuesday’s loss to Seattle, Tong was part of a group effort that saw several pitchers used in quick succession, including Huascar Brazoban, Cionel Pérez, and A.J. Minter. The cumulative strain over the two-game stretch left the bullpen in need of immediate relief.
While Tong has shown clear improvement compared to his earlier MLB struggles particularly when contrasted with his difficult 7.71 ERA stint in the previous season the Mets ultimately determined that roster flexibility was more important in the short term.
The expectation is that Tong will not be away from the major league roster for long. Because he had just pitched multiple innings, he would not have been available for several days anyway, making this an opportunity for the Mets to temporarily carry a fresh bullpen arm while allowing Tong to reset in the minors.
A corresponding roster move has not yet been announced, but the decision signals the urgency within the organization as the Mets try to stabilize a season that continues to slip further away from early expectations. Despite Tong’s progress and potential, the team is prioritizing immediate relief help over long-term development at the major league level—for now.
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