As Mets call up Jose Butto for bullpen help, other options loom
Mets starting pitcher José Buttó delivers against the Phillies during the first inning of an MLB game at Citi Field on May 14. Credit: Kathleen Malone-Van Dyke
WASHINGTON — In this moment of Mets bullpen chaos, the next reliever up was actually a starting pitcher, Jose Butto, whom the team brought back from Triple-A Syracuse on Tuesday.
That was a product of desperation. With several key relievers injured and Edwin Diaz suspended through Friday, the bullpen door has been less swinging open and more revolving in recent days, Mets decision-makers are making an extensive effort to ensure rested arms are available each game.
Manager Carlos Mendoza emphasized that the organization views Butto as a starter. But for now, he is a multi-inning option in relief because, well, somebody needs to be. The Mets sent Tyler Jay back to Triple-A.
“Whatever situation they need me, I’ll be ready,” Butto said through an interpreter.
Butto’s return served as a reminder: Opportunity exists for somebody — or somebodies — to carve out a role in an overworked, shorthanded bullpen.
Brooks Raley is long gone after having Tommy John surgery in May. Drew Smith very likely is facing the same fate. Sean Reid-Foley (right shoulder impingement) hasn’t started throwing yet, so he won’t return until after the All-Star break — weeks later than he and the Mets initially expected.
Even when Diaz is back, the Mets will need help.
“That’s all we talked about in spring training, all this depth that we had,” pitching coach Jeremy Hefner said. “How quickly it can change.”
They have looked at and will continue to look at in-house candidates in the weeks leading up to the July 30 trade deadline. Here are a few names that could prove relevant.
RHP Eric Orze: On the periphery of the bullpen picture the past couple of years, Orze has been hot with Syracuse, pitching to a 1.69 ERA and 1.03 WHIP over the past month. He has struck out 52 batters in 36 1/3 innings on the season.
Mendoza said he has received “positive reports” on the 26-year-old.
“He’s throwing strikes, he’s getting lefties out, he’s doing the things that we’ve asked him to do,” Hefner said. “I’m not the GM. But I definitely envision at some point we’re probably going to need him. And he probably deserves that opportunity, just because of what he’s been able to do over the past couple of months.”
Mendoza added: “Another guy that is in the conversation because he’s putting himself in that conversation.”
RHP Shintaro Fujinami: Out since mid-May because of a right shoulder strain, Fujinami advanced to Double-A Binghamton on his rehab assignment Tuesday.
Might he be an option soon?
“He is an option,” Mendoza said. “Obviously, he was down with a shoulder issue. We just want to make sure that he’s healthy and throwing the ball well. Right now, everything is trending on the positive side.”
The Mets signed Fujinami, 30, right before spring training as a project with a very high ceiling. And a project he remains. Before going on the injured list, he was a mess at the highest level of the minors, walking 17 batters (and hitting two more with pitches) in 7 2/3 innings. His biggest problem last year, an ability to throw strikes, seemed to get worse.
His triple-digit fastball and dastardly splitter, though, are still tantalizing.
While sidelined, Fujinami has worked with Mets personnel on thinking less about his mechanics while on the mound, Hefner said. Whether that effort pays off is to be determined.
“Some people can think about their mechanics and can really process that and it’s not going to affect too much of what happens down there (at the plate),” Hefner said. “But especially in competition when you’re trying to get somebody out, you can’t really think about what your leg is doing. You have to think about, OK, I want this ball to go to that spot.”
RHP Bryce Montes de Oca: Another hard-thrower, Montes de Oca had a cameo with the Mets in late 2022, then blew out his elbow during spring training 2023 and needed a second Tommy John surgery.
Now he is healthy and was assigned to Syracuse on Tuesday. Like Fujinami, he has to prove he can consistently throw strikes. But the talent is there.
“He’s got to keep going a little bit and show us he’s back to his form,” Hefner said.
Mendoza said: “Still a ways to go, but the fact that he’s healthy, that’s a good sign.”
Tim Healey is the Mets beat writer for Newsday. Born on Long Island and raised in Connecticut, Tim has previously worked for the South Florida Sun Sentinel, the Boston Globe and MLB.com. He is also the author of “Hometown Hardball,” a book about minor league baseball in the northeast.