Jose Butto saves Mets’ bullpen in possible rotation preparation

The bullpen door swung open and a surprise followed. 

It was Jose Butto, the Mets’ relief weapon. But why now? 

The Mets held a 10-run lead.

It was a strange spot for Carlos Mendoza to use one of his most trusted arms.

There was a reason for it. 

“It’s a decision we had to make there,” the manager said after the Mets’ 15-2 pasting of the Twins at Citi Field on Monday. “We saw an opportunity to keep him stretched out somehow and give the bullpen a blow. He did a helluva job. He went out there, threw strikes and was able to finish the game. 

“I thought it was important to keep his pitch count up. We’ll see what happens here [at the trade deadline].” 

Butto went the final three frames of this rout, throwing 44 pitches and putting himself in a position to start some point soon if the Mets don’t add another starter between now and Tuesday’s 6 p.m. trade deadline. 

There was another factor in play.

The Mets’ bullpen was thin on Monday, down four arms due to recent usage. Butto, who started seven times earlier this season for the Mets, enabled the rest of the bullpen to have the night off. 

But the more pressing need is the final spot in the starting rotation in the wake of injuries to Christian Scott and Kodai Senga. For now, it belongs to Tylor Megill and his 5.20 ERA.

That may not be the case for long. It’s a fluid situation.

It could be someone president David Stearns lands in a trade. It could be Butto, though Mendoza seemed to rule out that happening immediately. 

“It doesn’t necessarily have to be next time through the rotation,” the manager said. “But if somehow we need him to make a start, we can feel comfortable with him going, I don’t know, 70 pitches.” 

Butto has been brilliant as a reliever.

He’s allowed two earned runs and seven hits over 16 ²/₃ innings while walking six and striking out 19.

He has repeatedly said it doesn’t matter how he’s used by the Mets, as long as he has a role.

He reiterated that on Monday. 

“I say, if the team wants me to be a starter, [I’ll] go out and be a starter. I just want to be here and help the team,” he said. “All my career I’ve been a starter. But like I said before, if the team needs to be a starter, I’ll be a starter. I’ll be in the bullpen, if they need me in the bullpen. I’m just happy to be here and grateful to be here.”