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Mets' Zach Thornton Debuts, Father in Wheelchair Attends

5/20/2026

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Summary

Story summary

Zach Thornton debuted for the New York Mets, starting against the Washington Nationals at Nationals Park on Wednesday.
He called his father Paul at 3 p.m. Monday to announce the promotion, after which Paul, who had spinal-tumor surgery on April 2 and remains partially paralyzed, flew from Chicago in a wheelchair to sit in Section 114.
The Mets said Zach’s stay in the majors will depend on his performance.

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Story summary

Zach Thornton debuted for the New York Mets, starting against the Washington Nationals at Nationals Park on Wednesday.
He called his father Paul at 3 p.m. Monday to announce the promotion, after which Paul, who had spinal-tumor surgery on April 2 and remains partially paralyzed, flew from Chicago in a wheelchair to sit in Section 114.
The Mets said Zach’s stay in the majors will depend on his performance.