Jose Butto has become a valuable weapon for the Mets out of the bullpen in a multi-inning role and while Carlos Mendoza left himself some wiggle room, it sounds like he’ll remain doing the same thing for the foreseeable future.
“We’re open to anything,’’ Mendoza said of making Butto a more short-term reliever, but he added, “There are times we need his innings.”
Monday proved to be an exception, as Butto was used for just one inning — the eighth — in a 4-3 victory over Baltimore.
The Mets didn’t want to push the right-hander again so soon after a 46-pitch outing last Tuesday against Oakland, which was followed three days later by another 22-pitch outing.
Mets relief pitcher Jose Butto #70, pitching in the 5th inning on Aug. 13, 2024 against the A’s. Charles Wenzelberg / New York PostOverall, though, Mendoza believes Butto is too valuable in providing length — which at times saves the rest of the pen.
The manager pointed to that two-inning outing Butto had versus Oakland, which came with the Mets already in a six-run hole.
Instead of saving Butto for a more winnable game, Mendoza said he had little choice but to go with the right-hander due to the state of the rest of the bullpen, which he said had been taxed on the just-completed trip to Seattle.
Carlos Mendoza #64 reacts on the dugout steps during the fourth inning against the Yankees on July 23, 2024. Charles Wenzelberg / New York Post
After Paul Blackburn was knocked out against Oakland after just four innings, Mendoza summoned Butto.
“We had nobody else because of what happened in Seattle,’’ Mendoza said. “We had three or four guys down that day.”
Jose Butto #70, shakes hands with New York Mets catcher Francisco Alvarez #4, after earning a save pitching in the 8th and 9th inning as the Mets beat Washington 6-2. Charles Wenzelberg / New York PostThat has been the only one of Butto’s 13 relief appearances that’s ended with a loss.
In the other 12 games, the Mets have come out ahead — nearly always with the aid of Butto, who has allowed just four runs in 25 ²/₃ innings since joining the pen.
On Monday, he dealt with the top of Baltimore’s order and gave up just a walk to Gunnar Henderson in a scoreless eighth before Edwin Diaz pitched the ninth.
With some other members of the pen struggling, as Reed Garrett and Huascar Brazoban both gave up runs that led to the loss on Sunday against the Marlins, which cost the Mets a chance at a series sweep, Butto is even more vital.
“Every situation is different,’’ Mendoza said. “I would like to have him available as much as possible, but games will dictate how we use him.”
And Dedniel Nunez and Sean Reid-Foley are on the injured list, with Brooks Raley and Drew Smith out for the season, meaning the Mets have had to lean harder on the likes of Reed Garrett and lefty Danny Young, among others.
Butto has thrown 108 total innings this season (63 ²/₃ in the majors and 44 ¹/₃ at Triple-A Syracuse) after tossing 133 innings in each of his previous two seasons, when the 26-year-old was used almost exclusively as a starter.
Mendoza said the team will keep an eye on his usage, regardless of what his role is.
“Anything can happen,” Mendoza said. “But he’s a huge piece for us.”
