Mets make final rotation decision with Jose Butto sent to minors

JUPITER, Fla. — The Mets’ rotation to start the season, barring a late injury, was settled Wednesday.

Tylor Megill was informed he is on the team and will be placed in the rotation, as the Mets optioned Jose Butto to Triple-A.

Megill and Butto were the remaining candidates to fill Kodai Senga’s rotation vacancy.

Senga will open the season on the injured list after receiving the diagnosis of a right shoulder strain early in camp.

Tylor Megill has earned a spot in the Mets rotation.Corey Sipkin for the NY POST

All along, Megill was deemed the favorite to claim the spot based on his strong offseason and major-league experience, but Butto certainly left a strong impression on team officials.

“We’ve been saying we were going to be facing some tough conversations and this morning we had one with Butto,” manager Carlos Mendoza said before the Mets’ exhibition game against the Marlins. “Not only the way he’s been throwing the ball, how he goes about his business and how good of a teammate. He basically did everything we asked him to do.”

The 26-year-old Butto pitched to a 0.90 ERA in four appearances for the Mets in the Grapefruit League. Last season, he was solid for the team over the final month after returning from Triple-A Syracuse.

Megill, 28, has pitched to a 3.45 ERA in five appearances this spring after spending most of last season with the Mets.

The right-hander arrived at camp already built up after an offseason throwing program in which he added velocity and worked to implement a splitter.

“Credit to [Megill] and the way he approached his offseason and how he prepared,” Mendoza said. “He was working on new pitches and he came ready to go, just like Butto did. The outings and the way [Megill] threw the baseball and how he was bouncing back and this is a guy who has done it. He’s got a little bit more experience than Butto and we decided to go that route.”
Jose Butto was sent to the minors by the Mets.Corey Sipkin for the NY POST

In 25 starts for the Mets last season, Megill pitched to a 4.70 ERA. He was stronger for the club in the second half after a stint at Syracuse.

As pitchers with minor league options remaining, Megill, Butto and Joey Lucchesi provide the Mets with needed rotation depth.

Mendoza said part of his conversation with Butto was to be prepared for the first time the Mets insert a sixth starter into the rotation to provide extra rest for the others.

“He’s going to pitch a lot of innings for us and he’s going to give us quality innings,” Mendoza said. “It’s important. We have been talking about our depth the whole time and here we are. We are sending a kid that has done everything we have asked him to do and now he’s got to go down to Triple-A.”