Mets’ Jonah Tong debuts cutter in Grapefruit League game

PORT ST. LUCIE — Jonah Tong’s first Grapefruit League start of the spring was less about the box score and more about the toolbox. The 22-year-old right-hander, who made a five-start cameo with the Mets last summer, unveiled a new “cutter-slider type thing” against the St. Louis Cardinals at Clover Park on Wednesday, throwing the offering 18 times over 2 2/3 innings.

Tong surrendered three earned runs on three hits, including a third-inning homer to Nolan Gorman, walked one and struck out two while needing 50 pitches. Yet the line mattered less than the learning curve.

“It reminded me a lot of the development we had on the slider last year,” Tong said. “Continuing to know that’s definitely a really good option, especially when, like today, the changeup wasn’t really there.”

Manager Carlos Mendoza praised Tong’s resilience, noting the pitcher’s ability to rebound from rough outings was evident during his 2023 big-league stint. “He had a tough outing where I don’t think he made it out of the first inning, and he came back the next day willing to get better,” Mendoza said. “At this level, you need that.”

Tong’s high-over-the-top delivery generates velocity but complicates adding secondary pitches. Since signing out of a Canadian high school, he has relied heavily on a riding fastball and changeup. Major-league hitters adjusted last season, prompting the righty to deepen his repertoire while maintaining his arm slot.

“I never really thought it would be harder,” Tong said of developing pitches from that angle. “It’s just more something to be comfortable with.”

The young starter will remain in Mets camp rather than pitch for Canada in the World Baseball Classic, focusing on building innings and refining the new cutter-slider hybrid. “He’s not a fastball-changeup pitcher anymore,” Mendoza said. “Now he’s got some more weapons.”