Mets wont commit to another start for Jonah Tong

Join Post Sports+ for exciting subscriber-only features, including real-time texting with Mike Puma about the inside buzz on the Mets.Monday’s off-day is looming as an important talk-it-through day for the Mets, who repeatedly say they will get “creative” with a rotation that has six members and a seventh a level below trying to prove himself.Manager Carlos Mendoza did not commit to Jonah Tong receiving another start after Friday’s disastrous effort, which coincided with an encouraging outing from Kodai Senga with Triple-A Syracuse.Tong could not record a third out in the first inning, charged with six runs on four hits and three walks over 40 pitches in an 8-3 loss to the Rangers at Citi Field.“We’ll see” if Tong makes another start, Mendoza said.

It is possible the top prospect could be used in a tandem with another starting pitcher.Tong was far stronger in his first two starts — allowing five earned runs in 11 innings against the Marlins and Reds — before the Rangers displayed patience against a pitcher who induced far more chases in the minors.Of the first 19 pitches Texas batters saw, they swung once, and two walks began their rally.Senga, meanwhile, debuted with Syracuse and allowed one run on three hits and no walks in six innings while striking out eight.

The former ace, who was an All-Star in 2023 and on an All-Star trajectory this season — before a right hamstring strain sidelined him and he returned with miserable results — had been expected to receive multiple minor league starts, although the Mets now have a decision to make.Senga cannot be recalled (barring an injury to another Met) until Sept.20.Of the current group, Nolan McLean has earned a spot and Brandon Sproat had a strong debut.

Sean Manaea and Clay Holmes, whose stuff has intrigued but who has not been able to pitch deep into games, seem to be piggyback candidates.David Peterson, who had struggled in six starts, was OK (three runs in five innings) in Philadelphia ...