The Mets are tweaking their roster to better strengthen their bullpen.
Tyler Megill and left-hander Danny Young, who were both ineffective starters on Saturday, were optioned to Triple-A Syracuse on Sunday. The Mets finished their series against the Astros at Citi Field with left-hander Tyler Jay and right-hander Matt Festa replacing the two starters.
The team removed a starter and a tired reliever and added two relatively rested relievers, bringing the bullpen back to eight without the suspended Edwin Diaz after a thin lineup collapsed in Saturday’s game.
Jake Diekman, Reid Garrett and Young combined to allow five runs in the eighth and ninth innings.
The Mets will use four starting pitchers in their rotation through Wednesday. David Peterson will open the series at Washington on Monday, Sean Manaea will pitch on Tuesday, and Jose Quintana will pitch on Thursday after an extra day of rest, leaving him open Wednesday.
Manager Carlos Mendoza confirmed that Jose Butt and Christian Scott have returned to the rotation and are among the candidates to start on Wednesday.
Bhutto, who made seven starts for the major league team in April and May, most recently gave up two runs in seven innings on Friday. Scott, who pitched well in five major league starts in May, gave up one run in four innings on Tuesday. Both are options, but if Bhutto is asked to pitch, it would be less of a schedule change.
Megill will join Syracuse and continue to be a starter, but the Mets aren’t yet considering using the shaky right-hander in relief. In eight major league games this season, the 28-year-old big man has played well but has just a 5.08 ERA.
“It’s about getting the ball rolling, staying consistent and staying on offense,” Mendoza said of Megill, who gave up four runs in 5 1/3 innings against the Astros but probably would have been taken out even if he had pitched well.
The Mets were without one reliever since Diaz was suspended last Sunday for use of a sticky substance. Diekman, Garrett and the demoted Young all practiced on Friday, but that likely contributed to the trio’s struggles on Saturday. Diaz is eligible to return this Saturday.
To make room on the roster, recently acquired minor league outfielder Duke Ellis was designated a designated player and Brooks Raley was moved to the 60-day disabled list.
