The return of pitcher Christian Scott to the New York Mets may lead to the club moving Jose Butto to the bullpen. Butto has been impressive in his brief time as a starter, sporting a (1-3) record with a 3.08 ERA and 1.13 WHIP in 38 innings, striking out 38 and walking 21 over seven starts. The Mets envision Butto as a multi-inning reliever so he can stay stretched out if he needs to return to the rotation. Butto has a promising arm and could provide value in fantasy leagues where holds are a category. He could return to the rotation if Scott falters in his return or if another Mets starter is injured, making Butto a stash in deep-league formats for now.
The Athletic's Will Sammon speculates that New York Mets starting pitchers David Peterson and Tylor Megill could both get optioned to Triple-A Syracuse following their next starts, assuming the Mets stick with their current rotation for the next few games, in favor of more relievers. Then, when those turns in the rotation pop up again, the Mets could option those relievers for starters Christian Scott and Jose Butto. Relievers Dedniel Nunez and Danny Young have been effective but are the only Mets relievers with minor-league options beyond Reed Garrett. Before closer Edwin Diaz's 10-game suspension, the Mets were already mulling the idea of adding Scott. He was demoted to Syracuse a few weeks ago due to a roster crunch, and it allowed them to toggle his innings back. Scott worked on his secondary pitches while in the minors and rediscovered the action on his sweeper.
The New York Mets optioned right-hander Jose Butto to Triple-A Syracuse on Wednesday and recalled right-handers Grant Hartwig and left-hander Joey Lucchesi from Syracuse in a corresponding move. Butto will go back down to the minors to work on his control. In his seven starts with the Mets, he's gone 1-3 with a strong 3.08 ERA (4.13 FIP) and 1.13 WHIP with 38 strikeouts in 38 innings pitched, but he's also walked 21 hitters for a 5.0 BB/9. The 26-year-old had become a decent streaming option in deeper fantasy leagues. If the Mets are in need of more rotation help at some point this year, Butto will be at the top of their consideration list. In the meantime, Adrian Houser, Tylor Megill (shoulder), or even Lucchesi could take Butto's rotation spot in the big leagues.
New York Mets manager Carlos Mendoza said right-hander Jose Butto will be sticking in the starting rotation until Kodai Senga (shoulder) or Tylor Megill (shoulder) return after his dominating performance against the Kansas City Royals over the weekend. "He's not going anywhere," Mendoza said. "He'll continue to get the ball." Through his first two starts in 2024, Butto has struck out 15 hitters and allowed just one run. Over his past seven big-league starts dating back to 2023, he has a 2.51 ERA and WHIP under 1.00 over 39 1/3 innings while fanning 43. The 26-year-old held KC to just two hits while tossing six scoreless innings on Sunday with nine K's. Needless to say, Butto is confident right now and is going to be a popular waiver-wire pickup this week.
New York Mets starting pitcher Jose Butto is expected to take the mound for Sunday's start against the Kansas City Royals. The right-hander recently made a spot start for the Mets during a doubleheader last week. He pitched well allowing only one run over six innings of work against the Detroit Tigers. It appears he'll get at least one more outing in the Mets rotation. He could be worth a look as a possible deep league streaming option on Sunday.
It appears likely that right-hander Jose Butto will be called up from the minors to make another spot start on Saturday for the New York Mets against the Kansas City Royals after they designated veteran Julio Teheran for assignment on Tuesday. In his first spot start for New York on April 4 in the second game of a doubleheader against the Detroit Tigers last week, Butto looked good, allowing just one earned run on three hits while walking three and striking out six in six innings for a quality start. If the 26-year-old has another solid showing this weekend against KC, he could stick in the Mets' rotation, at least until one of Kodai Senga (shoulder) or Tylor Megill (shoulder) are able to return from the injured list. Fantasy baseball managers in NL-only leagues in need of pitching depth should take notice.
New York Mets right-hander Jose Butto gave up one run on three hits across six innings of work during Thursday's 2-1 doubleheader win over the Detroit Tigers. He recorded six strikeouts and allowed three walks across 90 pitches. It was an impressive spot start for the 26-year-old after being called up from Triple-A Syracuse. Butto will likely be sent straight back to the minors, but he could get another crack at the rotation if an injury arises. He could be a potential streaming option against weaker opponents for fantasy managers if he returns to the big league level.
New York Mets right-hander Jose Butto will officially start Game 2 of the team's doubleheader on Thursday against the visiting Detroit Tigers. The Mets and Tigers were postponed due to inclement weather in each of the previous two days, prompting the Mets to reach to the minors to add another starter for the second game of the twin bill. The 26-year-old is being called up from Triple-A Syracuse and will likely be sent back down to the farm after his spot start. He gave up just one earned run in 10 innings in spring training to narrowly miss out on the fifth start in the big-league rotation out of camp, and he gave up two earned runs in five innings in his first start with Syracuse last week. At best, Butto is a deep-sleeper streaming option in deep leagues and DFS contests for Game 2.
MLB.com's Anthony DiComo writes that the New York Mets will unofficially proceed with right-hander Adrian Houser in Game 1 of a doubleheader against the Detroit Tigers on Thursday, and right-hander Jose Butto in Game 2 after the game against Detroit was postponed for the second straight day on Wednesday due to inclement weather. Butto will be recalled from Triple-A Syracuse to make his first big-league start of the year after going 1-4 with a 3.64 ERA (4.02 FIP) and 1.33 WHIP with 23 walks and 38 strikeouts in 42 innings over nine appearances (seven starts) for the Mets in 2023. The 26-year-old is likely to head right back down to the minors after his appearance in the second game of the twin bill in New York on Thursday.
Jose Butto, Joey Lucchesi Could Enter Mets Rotation
New York Mets right-hander Jose Butto and left-hander Joey Lucchesi are the team's starting rotation options to replace Tylor Megill (shoulder) that are already on the 40-man roster. Megill landed on the injured list on Monday. Butto impressed club officials with a strong showing in spring training and was one of the final roster cuts. But he struggled with command and walked four in five innings in his first start with Triple-A Syracuse on Saturday. Manager Carlos Mendoza said in February that Lucchesi showed up to spring training a bit behind other starters, although he threw five scoreless innings for Syracuse on Friday. Prospects Christian Scott and Mike Vasil will likely see time with the Mets in 2024, but it's unclear how early that might occur. If New York looks externally for pitching help, it could come in the form of veteran free agent Julio Teheran.
