MLB

Mets make final rotation decision with Jose Butto sent to minors

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Published March 20, 2024
Updated March 20, 2024, 8:34 p.m. ET

JUPITER, Fla. — The Mets’ starting rotation to start the season, barring a late injury, was settled Wednesday.

Tylor Megill was informed he is on the team and will be placed in the rotation, as the Mets optioned Jose Butto to Triple-A.

Megill and Butto were the remaining candidates to fill Kodai Senga’s rotation vacancy.

New York Mets starting pitcher Tylor Megill walking off the field in a blue uniform with a baseball glove during Spring Training.
Tylor Megill has earned a spot in the Mets rotation. Corey Sipkin for the NY POST

Senga will open the season on the injured list after receiving the diagnosis of a right shoulder strain early in camp.

All along Megill was deemed the favorite to claim the spot based on his strong offseason and experience, but Butto certainly left a favorable impression on team officials.

“We’ve been saying we were going to be facing some tough conversations and this morning we had one with Butto,” manager Carlos Mendoza said before the Mets’ exhibition game against the Marlins. “Not only the way he’s been throwing the ball, how he goes about his business and how good of a teammate. He basically did everything we asked him to do.”

The 26-year-old Butto pitched to a 0.90 ERA in four appearances for the Mets in the Grapefruit League.

Last season he was solid for the team over the final month after returning from Triple-A Syracuse.

Megill, 28, has pitched to a 3.45 ERA in five appearances this spring after serving as a rotation fill-in last season.

The right-hander arrived at camp already built up after an offseason throwing program in which he added velocity and worked to implement a splitter.

“Credit to him and the way he approached his offseason and how he prepared,” Mendoza said. “He was working on new pitches and he came ready to go, just like Butto did. The outings and the way [Megill] threw the baseball and how he was bouncing back and this is a guy who has done it. He’s got a little bit more experience than Butto and we decided to go that route.”

New York Mets starting pitcher Jose Butto throwing a ball during Spring Training at Clover Park.
Jose Butto was sent to the minors by the Mets. Corey Sipkin for the NY POST

In 25 starts for the Mets last season, Megill pitched to a 4.70 ERA that included a strong second half after a stint at Syracuse.

As pitchers with minor league options remaining, Megill, Butto and Joey Lucchesi provide the Mets with needed rotation depth.

Another possibility, David Peterson, is rehabbing from offseason surgery to repair a labrum tear in his hip and could return by June.

Mendoza said part of his conversation with Butto was to be prepared for the first time the Mets insert a sixth starter into the rotation to provide extra rest for the others. That call could occur as soon as mid-April.

“We want to take advantage of the off days early in the schedule, but then we’re going to go through stretches where that sixth starter is going to come into play,” Mendoza said. “Maybe we need length out of the bullpen and [Butto] provides that, but the biggest thing for him is to continue his buildup and he’s going to be one of the first guys depending where we are that his name is going to be discussed.

“He’s going to pitch a lot of innings for us and he’s going to give us quality innings. It’s important. We have been talking about our depth the whole time and here we are. We are sending a kid that has done everything we have asked him to do and now he’s got to go down to Triple-A.”

Jose Quintana, Luis Severino, Sean Manaea and Adrian Houser are the other members of the Mets’ rotation to start the season.

Quintana has been tabbed as the Opening Day starter on March 28 and Mendoza has Severino lined up for Game 2. The rest of the rotation order has not been announced.