3 Candidates Who Could Replace Robert Stock in Mets' Starting Rotation

With the Mets' rotation in flux following the trade deadline, three internal options could emerge as candidates to fill the team's final rotation spot.

Mets starting pitcher Tobias Myers (32) pitches against the Cincinnati Reds in the first inning at Great American Ball Park. | IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect

After depleting their rotation at the MLB trade deadline, the Mets found themselves in a sticky situation. Who would fill their final spot in the rotation?

Just a day before trading Freddy Peralta, the Mets decided to scratch what would be his final start, experimenting with Kodai Senga back in the mix. Senga would deliver four scoreless before completely falling apart in the fifth, allowing three runs with two walks before his night was cut short. The Mets moved the failed starter into a new role, trying him out as a high-leverage reliever, which has so far worked, even stepping in as their new closer with Devin Williams down. 

Two days later, the Mets would try Robert Stock as a starter, succeeding with a five-inning outing in which he allowed just one run and struck out four batters. The outing was impressive enough to land him a second chance in the rotation, where he unfortunately struggled, surrendering eight runs in three innings against the Pirates on Aug. 8.

Even with the poor performance, the Mets still remain committed to Stock, with manager Andy Green confirming to SNY reporters prior to their game Tuesday that Stock would be starting in their weekend series against the Nationals.

Simply put, having Stock start going forward makes very little sense, given that there are many options sprinkled throughout the organization that could make an impact post-2026. Here are three potential internal options that the Mets should consider over the 36-year-old.

1. Tobias Myers

While it’s not the perfect option, Tobias Myers serves as one of the potential pitchers in Triple-A who could fill in their final rotation spot. The former Brewer was included in the package that sent Freddy Peralta to Queens, expecting to fill in as a long-term reliever who could occasionally make spot starts at the MLB level. The bouncing around roles caused the 28-year-old to struggle, holding a 6.26 ERA through 26 appearances, causing the Mets to send Myers down to their Triple-A affiliate. 

Although Myers has continued to struggle, the Mets have still attempted to provide the former starter with more length, continuously upping his pitch count through each start. In the minors this season, the righty holds a 5.40 ERA in 9 appearances, starting five times, but the furthest he’s gone was on Aug. 8, where he went 3.1 innings on 61 pitches, allowing three runs while walking two batters.

Promoting Myers to a starting role for the remainder of the season makes the most sense because he’s under team control until 2031, which gives the Mets a chance to really scope out what a once-promising arm could potentially provide to a rotation in need of tools. 

2. Jonah Tong

It’s time for the Mets to take the training wheels off; they must finally see what their developing former No. 1 prospect has to offer at the major league level, especially with an important offseason approaching.

Jonah Tong has had the opportunity to pitch for the Mets, making five starts in 2025 and posting a 7.71 ERA while going 2-3. 2026 offered Tong a different role, holding down a short stint as a long-relief option, where he held a 3.60 ERA in three outings. 

"I think we want to see ingredients that we believe will succeed on the field here," said Green when talking to SNY reporters about what the Mets want to potentially see from Tong before a promotion. "We want to put him in a place where he's going to be successful when he comes back."

"I think we want to see ingredients that we believe will succeed on the field here. We want to put him in a place where he's going to be successful when he comes back."

Andy Green talks about what the Mets want to see from Jonah Tong in Triple-A before bringing him back up: pic.twitter.com/gpHTt4qdgV

— SNY Mets (@SNY_Mets) August 11, 2026

Tong holds the most starts in Triple-A, going 3-6 over 20 outings with a 5.32 ERA, striking out 109 and walking 53, struggling with his command. The 23-year-old appeared Tuesday night following an outing where he allowed five home runs, going four innings while allowing one run, striking out six batters while walking four.

While starting at the MLB level may not be ideal for his development, it would be important to the Mets' plans, either solving their current glaring issue or serving as an eye-popping reminder that a true ace pitching option will be needed this offseason. 

3. Jack Wenninger

Like Tong, it makes sense for the Mets to give No. 9 prospect Jack Wenninger a chance to prove himself at the major league level, but there are many worries in his current game. Like Tong, the 24-year-old has really struggled with his walks, walking a total of 53 batters through 91 innings, the most of his career. In 17 starts this season, Wenninger holds a 4.43 ERA, along with a 1.43 WHIP. 

Promoting Wenninger makes sense because the Mets must add him to their 40-man roster by November to ensure he isn’t rule-five eligible. Although he has struggled with consistency and an inflated walk rate, a spot in Queens would give the coaching staff a baseline for any required adjustments heading into 2027. 

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