The Mets added one of their top young pitchers on Friday, while saying goodbye to a potential future Hall of Famer. RHP Jonah Tong, the team's No. 2 prospect and No. 36 in baseball according to MLB Pipeline, was recalled from Triple-A Syracuse before the series opener in Miami, while RHP Craig Kimbrel was designated for assignment.
It was unclear initially what Tong's role would be for the Mets, though he could potentially slot in as a bulk pitcher after Friday starter Tobias Myers.
Tong, 22, led the Minor Leagues in strikeouts last season, and he entered Friday tied for sixth, just five off the pace. Tong's meteoric rise through the Minors resulted in five uneven starts for the Mets last fall, during which he went 2-3 with a 7.71 ERA. Tong is 1-3 with a 5.68 ERA in nine starts for Syracuse this season.
Kimbrel, 37, had a 6.00 ERA in 14 outings for the Mets. The nine-time All-Star did not add to his career total of 440 saves, which ranks fifth all-time.