WASHINGTON — The pitching-strapped Mets are dipping into their stock of depth arms by promoting right-handers Jose Butto and Christian Scott.
Triple-A call-ups have coughed up runs late the last two games. Left-hander Tyler Jay had a six-run lead and still nearly blew it Monday night in Washington, which forced the Mets to bring in right-hander Reed Garrett for the third time in four days. Garrett only threw six pitches, but because he warmed up twice in the game, he may not be available if needed Tuesday.
Butto, however, can pick up multiple innings since he’s stretched out as a starter. The Mets still see him as a starter, but they have a need right now in the bullpen and he pitched in relief in the past. He gave the bullpen a huge boost Tuesday night at Nationals Park when he pitched two scoreless innings in relief of Sean Manaea in a 7-2 win.
“We feel good with him back there,” said manager Carlos Mendoza. “The one thing we’ve just got to be mindful of is giving him the proper time to get ready. So if that’s coming in the middle of an inning, making sure we call down there early enough. Or, if he’s got a clean inning, making sure he goes through his routine.”
Butto mentioned his routine being important, but not so important that he can’t adjust.
“The biggest thing is the routine, but also, being in the bullpen and waiting and not necessarily knowing what situation you’re going to come into,” he said through a team translator. “I think those are the two biggest things. But at the same time, you have to just be ready. ”
Using Butto out of the bullpen will require the Mets to closely monitor his workload and his innings, but the team mapped some guidelines for his usage. Butto won’t pitch on back-to-back days and the Mets will try to stay away from having him throw more than 100 pitches within a span of 5-6 days.
Adrian Houser has been pitching in a long-relief role since May and he’s filled a big need for the Mets, but a three-inning outing requires a few days off. With the Mets already down a man because of Edwin Diaz’s suspension, the club thinks another long reliever will be beneficial.
Butto won’t strictly be used as a long reliever. Mendoza is open to using him for one-inning stints.
“If he’s available, and if he’s got to go just one inning and get us three outs to finish a game, so be it,” Mendoza said. “That’s where we’re at and he’ll be ready for it.”
Butto went 1-3 with a 3.08 ERA over seven big league starts earlier this season and is 5-2 with a 3.05 ERA in eight starts with Triple-A Syracuse. Jay was optioned to Triple-A Syracuse following Monday night’s game.
Scott is with the team in Washington and the transaction will be official Wednesday, when he starts against the Nationals. The Mets don’t have a strict innings limit for him but are cautious about his workload considering the 25-year-old has never pitched 90 innings in a single season.
Scott trusts that the Mets have his best interest in mind and he’s looking forward to showing the improvements he made in Syracuse.
“I’m sharpening up the off-speed stuff, the heater is at the top of the zone, and I’m trying to be really consistent overall with my approach right-handers and left-handers,” Scott said. “Just trying to find any way to get outs to help us win ball games.”
TRAINER’S ROOM
J.D. Martinez was a late scratch from the lineup Tuesday with a sore left ankle, which he thinks was caused by using new cleats. He’s waiting for a shipment from Adidas and has been using cleats with an extra spike, which caused pressure on his ankle. Luis Torrens took his spot as a DH.
Brandon Nimmo came off the bench after sitting out Monday. He replaced Harrison Bader, who collided with the wall in the third inning. Both outfielders passed all concussion tests and don’t anticipate going on the injured list.
Right-hander Sean-Reid Foley (right shoulder impingement) will start playing catch Wednesday. He received a cortisone shot last week and has been waiting for the inflammation to subside before proceeding with a throwing program. The Mets initially anticipated a two-week break, but Mendoza said it will likely be more than two weeks.
Right-hander Shintaro Fujinami (shoulder strain) could be an option for the Mets’ bullpen now that he is healthy again. Fujinami is currently on a rehab assignment with Double-A Binghamton.
SPROAT NAMED TO FUTURES ROSTER
Right-hander Brandon Sproat was named to the 2024 All-Star Futures Game roster Tuesday after going 5-1 with a 1.61 ERA in 13 games between High-A and Double-A. A second-round draft pick out of the University of Florida last year, Sproat will join other top prospects from NL clubs in a seven-inning showcase at Globe Life Field in Arlington, Texas, on Sunday, July 14.
