{"id":114054,"date":"2026-02-14T00:44:49","date_gmt":"2026-02-14T05:44:49","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/baseball\/?p=114054"},"modified":"2026-02-14T00:45:08","modified_gmt":"2026-02-14T05:45:08","slug":"jonah-tong-working-secondary-pitches-first-big-league-camp-invite","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/baseball\/2026\/02\/14\/jonah-tong-working-secondary-pitches-first-big-league-camp-invite\/","title":{"rendered":"Mets Rookie Starter ‘Working on Secondary Pitches’ in First Big League Camp Invite"},"content":{"rendered":"

Last season, New York Mets rookie starter Jonah Tong<\/a> got his first taste of what the big leagues were all about, though in an unconventional way. The 22-year-old’s first cup of coffee didn’t go as expected, thanks to a rotation and a team that was not only pushing for a postseason spot but also struggling and missing several key arms.<\/p>\n

Tong struggled in his first season. He pitched to a 7.71 ERA in five appearances (18 2\/3 IP). With the Mets trading for ace Freddy Peralta<\/a>, Tong is pushed out of the rotation \u2014 for now. He\u2019ll start the season in Triple-A Syracuse.<\/p>\n

\"The
Jul 12, 2025; Atlanta, GA, USA. National League pitcher Jonah Tong (16) reacts after a pitch during the second inning against the American League at Truist Park. Mandatory Credit: Brett Davis-Imagn Images<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Mets Starter Jonah Tong Plans to Develop Secondary Pitches This Spring<\/h2>\n

Having been called up to the majors last year<\/a>, Tong automatically earned his first big-league camp invite. He plans on making the most of it. Asked about his objectives for spring training, he said, \u201cI think just continue to develop the off-speeds.\u201d He added, \u201cI know that last year I was really confident in the fastball and changeup, and just making sure I have confidence in my other two offerings.\u201d<\/p>\n

So what do the Mets want to see out of Tong this spring?<\/p>\n

\u201cI want him to enjoy it,\u201d manager Carlos Mendoza<\/a> said. \u201cI want him to learn as much as possible from every guy that we have in that room. I want him to go out there and be himself.”<\/p>\n

Remember how Tong mentioned those \u201ctwo offerings?\u201d Well, what are they?<\/p>\n

\u201cWe know the fastball, we know the changeup,\u201d Mendoza added. \u201c[Tong] is working on a cutter and the secondary pitches, whether we want to call it the slider\u2026 and I want him to go out there and continue to develop all of his pitches, compete, and prepare for his year.<\/p>\n

\u201cHe\u2019s going to pitch for us, and we\u2019re going to need him. So learn, have fun, and let the rest take care of itself.\u201d<\/p>\n

\n

“I want him to enjoy it. I want him to learn as much as possible from every guy that we have in that room, and I want him to go out there and be himself.”<\/p>\n

Carlos Mendoza talks about his expectations for Jonah Tong’s first major-league camp: pic.twitter.com\/lcWXFEqOmt<\/a><\/p>\n

\u2014 SNY Mets (@SNY_Mets) February 13, 2026<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n