ARLINGTON, Texas — Zac Thornton accomplished his biggest goal for this season just by walking to the mound during Thursday’s first inning. 

Between the minor leagues and majors, it was start No. 28 for the rookie left-hander. 

“I met all my goals this year of debuting and making every start,” Thornton said after the Mets lost 3-1 to the Rangers. “I wanted to finish the year and, obviously, make it up here.” 

In his final whirl, he allowed two earned runs on four hits and one walk over five innings. Josh Jung’s two-run homer in the first accounted for the scoring against him. 

Thornton finished the season with a 3.42 ERA in his 15 starts for the Mets, firmly placing him in the mix for a rotation spot next year. 

“I don’t think anybody could have had higher expectations than what he went out there and did,” manager Andy Green said. “That’s a tribute to him and how hard he works and getting more strikeouts here recently too, which is encouraging as well.” 

New York Mets starting pitcher Zac Thornton throws to the Texas Rangers during the first inning of a baseball game on Sept. 24, 2026, in Arlington, Texas. AP Photo/Julio Cortez

The Mets fell short of a Texas sweep but departed for Washington with a 26-20 record since the trade deadline. 

Thornton belongs to a young pitching nucleus that includes Nolan McLean, Christian Scott and Jonah Tong, as the Mets look for rotation answers heading to next season. 

“I always thought I would be up [in the majors] this year,” said Thornton, who began the season at Double-A Binghamton. “I didn’t know to what extent it would be — maybe, like, September to help us make a push to the postseason.

“It just so happened that we had a few injuries, and then obviously the trade deadline we had open spots, but I wouldn’t say I surprised myself.” 

New York Mets pitcher Zac Thornton (49) throws to the plate against the Texas Rangers during the first inning of a game at Globe Life Field in Arlington, Texas on September 24, 2026. IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect

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Derek Falvey was named senior adviser, baseball operations, adding a seasoned voice to David Stearns’ front office. Falvey, 41, was previously the president of baseball operations for the Twins. 

The Mets also named Kris Gross assistant general manager, scouting. Gross oversaw amateur and international scouting for the Mets over the past three seasons. 

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Green was leaning toward a bullpen game, perhaps with an opener, for Friday’s game against the Nationals. The Mets are short-handed in the rotation following the injuries that landed Scott and Robert Stock on the injured list over the past week.

Tong and Sean Manaea are scheduled to start the final two games of the season. 

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The Mets finished 23-25 in interleague play this season.