Tylor Megill won the battle for New York’s final slot in the starting rotation, manager Carlos Mendoza told reporters. The Mets optioned his main competition, José Buttó, to Triple-A Syracuse. The spot opened when Kodai Senga went down with an injury. Mendoza also said that catcher Hayden Senger was reassigned to minor league camp.
“We optioned Buttó today,” the rookie manager said in Jupiter, Fla., where the Mets will take on Miami later today. “And we told Megill he made the team. So Megill will be in the rotation. That’s the update I got.”
The 6’7 right-hander had a 3.45 ERA and 1.02 WHIP in 15 2/3 spring innings, striking out 16 and walking four as he worked in his new pitch, the American spork. Buttó had a 0.90 ERA and 1.10 WHIP in 10 innings with nine strikeouts and two walks.
Megill, 28, was uneven in his 25 starts for New York last season, pitching to a 4.70 ERA, 1.57 WHIP and 4.96 FIP. But with the new pitch and more experience, the Mets will hope for better results. Buttó pitched to a 3.64 ERA, 1.33 WHIP and 4.02 FIP in 2023 over seven starts and nine appearances.
Opening Day at Citi Field is in eight days. The Mets’ starting rotation to kick off the 2024 season features José Quintana (Opening Day starter), Luis Severino, Sean Manaea, Adrian Houser, and Megill.
