Mets Rookie Benge Shaves Mustache, Notches Key Hits in Win Carson Benge, the New York Mets' rookie outfielder, made a bold decision to shave his mustache after struggling with his performance in early-season games. The 23-year-old player, who had been batting .136 with two extra-base hits and three RBIs in his first 21 games, attributed his recent turnaround to the change in appearance. After coming through with two clutch singles in a 4-2 victory over the Cincinnati Reds on Wednesday, Benge reflected on his adjustment. "I haven't really been getting a ton of hits, so I just shaved it off and it worked," he said following the game. Benge's transformation has been significant, with his batting average climbing above .300 and his contributions to the team's offense growing. Since April 23, he has recorded 17 RBIs and 19 runs while adapting his approach at the plate. His resilience was on full display in a critical matchup against the Reds, where he broke a 1-for-20 slump with two RBI singles. With two outs in the fifth inning, Benge faced a 0-2 count against left-handed starter Andrew Abbott and responded by hitting an up-and-in fastball into center field for an RBI single that gave the Mets a 3-1 lead. Later in the seventh inning, he repeated the feat against right-handed reliever Zach Maxwell, driving a 98 mph fastball into the same gap to make it 4-2. Manager Carlos Mendoza praised Benge's determination, noting that the player had previously struggled with high-strike-zone pitches. "He's always aggressive. He has a really good swing, and he knows it," said star teammate Juan Soto. "He's squaring balls most of the time, and that's really cool to see." Mendoza added that Benge's ability to adapt has been impressive, particularly after a slow start to the season. "It's really good to see," Mendoza said.#juan_soto #new_york_mets #carlos_mendoza #carson_benge #jonah_tong
Mets Weigh Call-Up of Jonah Tong Amid Rotation Struggles The New York Mets are considering bringing up top pitching prospect Jonah Tong for their series against the Miami Marlins, though the decision hinges on the outcome of their game against the Washington Nationals on Thursday. If the Mets play Thursday, Tong is likely to pitch Friday against the Marlins. However, if the game is rained out, he may stay in Syracuse, N.Y., for his Triple-A start. The Mets are evaluating multiple scenarios for Tong’s use, including inserting him as a sixth starter in the rotation or deploying him as a bulk pitcher behind an opener. Manager Carlos Mendoza emphasized that the team is keeping Tong in play, though the exact role remains uncertain. Tong, 22, has struggled in his brief MLB appearances last season. Over five starts with the Mets, he threw 18 2/3 innings and posted a 7.71 ERA. The Mets rushed him up to the majors after just two starts in Triple A due to rotation needs, but his performance did not meet expectations. In nine Triple A starts this season, Tong holds a 5.68 ERA, with a 32.7% strikeout rate (top in the International League) but a 14.3% walk rate (among the worst in the league). His 2025 season in the majors was marked by inconsistency, and the Mets are now seeking to leverage his potential in a shortened schedule. The Mets’ rotation has been under significant strain without Clay Holmes, who led the team in innings before a fractured fibula sidelined him. Since Holmes’ injury, the rotation has struggled to provide length, with Nolan McLean’s 5 2/3-inning start marking the longest outing from a Mets starter since Holmes’ absence. Relievers like David Peterson, Freddy Peralta, and Christian Scott have stepped in, while rookie Zach Thornton made his major-league debut with 4 1/3 innings.#miami_marlins #new_york_mets #carlos_mendoza #jonah_tong #syracuse_n_y
