Jose Butto helped the Mets in a pinch on the last homestand and now will receive an opportunity to show he belongs in the rotation.
With a spot open following Julio Teheran’s one-and-done appearance with the team, the Mets will recall Butto from Triple-A Syracuse to start Sunday’s game against the Royals, according to manager Carlos Mendoza.
Butto was used as the 27th player in a doubleheader against the Tigers on April 4 and helped the Mets get their first victory of the season by allowing one earned run on three hits and three walks with six strikeouts over six innings.
“We know he’s ready,” Mendoza said before the Mets beat the Royals, 6-1, on Friday at Citi Field. “We made some tough decisions in spring training and, unfortunately, he had to go down. But then he got an opportunity in the doubleheader and did a hell of a job giving us six, especially when he didn’t have his best stuff command-wise, but now he is getting another opportunity.”
Butto, 26, was a consideration in camp for the rotation spot that went to Tylor Megill after Kodai Senga was shut down with a right shoulder strain.
Megill was placed on the injured list after one start with a shoulder strain and replaced by the veteran Teheran, who was designated for assignment after allowing four earned runs over 2 ²/₃ innings against the Braves in his Mets debut.
“[Butto] is a guy that is not afraid,” Mendoza said. “He’s going to take the ball and he’s going to compete. This is a guy, I like the fastball and the changeup, the changeup plays and here he is getting an opportunity again on Sunday and I am looking forward to it.”
William Arroyo, the lead agent for Rimas Sports (better known as Bad Bunny), has been decertified by the MLBPA after an investigation into complaints he provided improper benefits in the form of cash and gifts to players, ESPN reported.
Francisco Alvarez and Ronny Mauricio are among Bad Bunny’s clients.
Alvarez, a former Scott Boras client who switched to Bad Bunny last year, declined comment on the matter.
Mendoza said he’s hopeful J.D. Martinez will have “some movements” beginning Saturday after receiving a cortisone shot for lower-back tightness earlier in the week.
Martinez’s buildup in the minor league was placed on hold following the shot. Martinez has appeared in two games for Low-A St. Lucie.
— Additional reporting by Dan Martin