Jose Butt was a competent starter for the Mets earlier this season and has been even more impressive since returning from Triple-A earlier this month to provide a versatile addition to an injured relief corps, allowing no runs in three relief appearances.
The 26-year-old right-hander recorded three or more outs in each of those games, including his final four starts in which he recorded his first major league save on Wednesday against the Nationals.
“I just try to live in the present, not the future. This is what they want from me right now,” Butt said before the series opener against the Rockies at Citi Field. “If they [give] If you give me the opportunity to be a starter, I’ll be a starter. [as] As a relief pitcher, I just do my job.
“I’ll do whatever it takes to help my team win games.”
Overall, Bhutto has a 3-3 record with a 2.72 ERA in 43 innings pitched in his two stints with the Mets this season, including five scoreless innings since July 2nd.
He also started seven games in April and May before David Peterson returned from offseason hip surgery.
Kodai Senga has also not played in a Mets game this season.
But with Reid Garrett being placed on the disabled list earlier this week, following the departure of relievers Drew Smith, Sean Reid-Foley and Brooks Raley, Boutte has transitioned into a new role and has already earned the trust of manager Carlos Mendoza.
“He can pitch multiple innings, [it’s] “His ability to throw strikes is great,” Mendoza said. “We know he pitches a little better against right-handed pitchers than he does against left-handed pitchers, but he’s making adjustments now.”
“He’s not afraid, he’s going to get the ball no matter the situation, and we saw that the other day. [a] High Leverage [situation] “Against the Nationals, he’s going to pitch and attack hitters, so I think that’s good.”
In the major leagues this season, Butt has allowed only a slightly higher OPS against left-handed batters (.573) than he has allowed against right-handed batters (.549).
He believes his abilities qualify him to succeed in either role.
“So far, I’m playing well. I just want to do my job and in the end they’ll decide,” Butt said. “I feel like I can contribute to the team and I feel like I can do what I need to do in any situation.”
