Thornton the latest young Mets arm to wrap promising ’26 season

Zac Thornton pitched five effective innings for the New York Mets in a 3-1 loss to the Texas Rangers on Thursday, concluding his 2026 campaign. His outing followed recent season finales from rotation mates Christian Scott and Nolan McLean. Across 399 2/3 combined innings, the Mets' quartet of young starters—Thornton, Scott, McLean, and Jonah Tong—recorded a 3.47 ERA, positioning themselves to compete for starting rotation spots in 2027.

Mets manager Andy Green praised the development of the young group, noting their value and steady improvements throughout the year. McLean finished his rookie campaign leading qualified National League rookies in ERA, innings, strikeouts, and wins. Meanwhile, Thornton recorded a 3.15 ERA in the Majors after his debut, and Tong remains the only young starter scheduled for one final outing on Saturday in Washington.