The New York Mets’ hodgepodge bullpen that is being held together with duct tape and crazy glue has gotten something promising out of Jose Butto.
Moved to the bullpen from the starting rotation amidst a roster crunch, the 26-year-old right-hander has thrived as a multiple-innings long reliever.
He has pitched 7.2 innings of shutout ball while yielding just two hits in his four relief outings since the move to go with eight strikeouts and three walks.
With starter Christian Scott struggling to get out of the fifth inning during Saturday’s 7-3 win over the Colorado Rockies, manager Carlos Mendoza called on Butto to record the final two outs of the frame and then go two more, allowing just a hit and a walk with five strikeouts on 41 pitches to help New York get over the finish line.
“It was good for him to throw 40-something pitches yesterday to keep that pitch count up in a certain way,” Mendoza said. “But he’s been huge for us.”
While Butto has gone over one inning in each of his four relief outings, Mendoza is not ready to use him exclusively as a long reliever: “There’s going to be scenarios where I might use him for one inning if we set up that way. Every situation, every game will dictate how we’re going to use him.”
There is no promise that this is a permanent move, either. Butto was more than serviceable as a starter this season, posting a 3.08 ERA with 38 strikeouts in 38 innings pitched. That ability practically has him on standby to put his adaptability to the test.
“I see him as a bullpen piece but also understanding that he could start for us at some point if we need to during the second half because he is very versatile,” Mendoza said. “He’s got three pitches that can get through a lineup there times through the order. He also has the ability to come in and use two pitches if he needs to. Right now, he’s a big part of that bullpen but I could see him going back to the rotation if we need to.”
After Adrian Houser failed to hammer down his place as the No. 5 starter entering 2024, the Mets already had a long reliever in their bullpen, though.
The veteran rigthy was running away with the role after being demoted to the pen in late May. Over nine appearances from May 26 to June 30, he posted a 1.19 ERA in 22.2 innings pitched. In his last two outings, however, he has been tagged for four runs on six hits in 3.1 innings of work.
Entering Sunday’s series finale with the Rockies, he had not been used since July 8 — Mendoza opted to go with Butto in each of the previous two opportunities for a long reliever to step in.
“I see it as a plus. Especially when you have one guy available and then the other one can rest,” Mendoza said. Having a guy that you know can get 45 to 50 pitches if you need to but also in a high-leverage situation, they’re going to come in and throw strikes and attack hitters. If you only use him for one [inning] they’re probably going to be down for one day but I think I see that as a plus to have two of those guys who can go multiple [innings] and you can put them in at any time and feel pretty good about them getting the job done.”
For now, the formula is suitable as New York ended the first half red hot to get back into the playoff picture. But Kodai Senga’s return is on the very near horizon, prompting Mendoza and the Mets to pivot to a six-man starting rotation after the All-Star break. That takes away one spot for a reliever and having two multi-inning arms puts further strain on traditional bullpen arms who can go on consecutive days when needed.
“Those are some discussions that we’re having and we will continue to have those when we go to the six-man rotation and how that’s going to effect our bullpen,” Mendoza said. “Obviously, you’re going to need guys who can go back-to-back. We’ll see where we’re at, but we’ll cross that bridge when we get there.”
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