 Linton was promoted to the Syracuse Chiefs of the International League for the 1990 season, where he had a 10–10 record with a 3.40 ERA in 26 starts.He returned to Syracuse in 1991, posting a 10–12 record with a 5.01 ERA in 30 games.He began the season with the Chiefs once again in 1992, where he had a 12–10 record with a 3.74 ERA in 25 starts, earning a call-up from the Toronto Blue Jays.