The Sunday afternoon matinee at Citi Field brought a surprising turn for a team striving to solidify its rotation for the current season and potentially beyond.

Although not initially heralded as a standout prospect, Josê Butto appears to have earned his place in the major leagues, stepping up to cover for an injured Mets rotation. Mets manager Carlos Mendoza expressed his support for Butto, hinting at positive outcomes for the player and the team.

“He’s not going anywhere,” Mendoza said. “He’ll continue to get the ball. He’ll get his chance, but it’s good to see somebody stepping up.”

Staking his claim as a reliable presence, Butto took the mound for the Mets on Sunday, leaving a lasting impression. He tallied a career-best nine strikeouts across six flawless innings, propelling the Mets to a narrow 2-1 victory over the Kansas City Royals.

This marked Butto’s second substitute start of the season, stepping in after Tylor Megill‘s injury sidelined him from the fifth starter’s role. Across 12 innings this season, Butto has conceded just five hits and a lone run.

The 26-year-old right-hander showcased brilliance in both outings for New York this season. His debut against the Tigers on April 4 saw him deliver six innings of one-run baseball with six strikeouts, serving as a crucial addition to the roster for a doubleheader.

His performance on Sunday notched a significant milestone for the Mets, clinching a series win against a streaking Royals, who entered the weekend with a 9-4 record and a seven-game win streak.

Butto’s dominance was evident from the onset, striking out the side in the first inning, and showcasing a strong fastball-changeup combination that left hitters guessing. His repertoire, including a sharp slider, provided ample tools to keep batters off balance throughout his start.

This standout performance marks the best of Butto’s major league career thus far. Despite entering the 2024 season with a 4.70 ERA over ten outings spanning two seasons in New York, Sunday’s game marked his first career scoreless outing, accompanied by a career-high nine strikeouts.

Not merely a flash in the pan, Butto’s consistency dates back to last September when he excelled as a starter for the Mets, maintaining a 3.29 ERA over five starts while averaging over a strikeout per inning. Over his last seven starts in the majors, spanning into last season, he boasts a 2.50 ERA with an impressive tally of 43 strikeouts in 39 1/3 innings.

Butto’s strong outing also boosts a team whose pitching, which many considered a question mark in the offseason, has become its strength so far. They currently hold the second-best team ERA at 3.51. Notably, their bullpen depth shines through with a collective ERA of 3.34, securing another second-place ranking in the National League.

The absences of Kodai Senga and Tylor Megill created a gap within the Mets rotation, but Sunday afternoon showed that they have another option to fill that gap. Jose Butto seems to get increasingly better as he goes along, and if the Mets are looking to make an impact, having Butto as a weapon for a staff that’s already excelling is one of those good problems to have.