This Week in Mets: Jose Buttó makes another statement

“There is nothing nobler, stronger, healthier, and more helpful in life than a good remembrance, particularly a remembrance from our childhood, when we still lived in our parents’ house. You often hear people speak about upbringing and education, but I feel that a beautiful, holy memory preserved from early childhood can be the most important single thing in our development.”
—“The Brothers Karamazov,” Fyodor Dostoevsky

On the day they honored Dwight Gooden, the Mets received their best pitching performance of the season.

Jose Buttó’s six sparkling innings spearheaded a 2-1 rubber-game victory over the Royals. The Mets finally broke the seal on Harrison Bader’s bases-loaded swinging bunt in the bottom of the eighth. They scored twice in the inning on that one hit, aided by four free passes from Kansas City reliever Chris Stratton. New York’s pitchers allowed three hits, with Vinny Pasquantino’s ninth-inning solo shot off Edwin Díaz the lone blemish.

It was Buttó who set the tone, and it’s Buttó whose performance is the most significant. Over six scoreless innings, he held the Royals to two hits while striking out nine. It was Buttó’s second quality start in as many tries; the rest of the rotation has one in 13 attempts.

“Today, he was in complete control,” said manager Carlos Mendoza. “What a great outing.”

What a day for José Buttó 👏 pic.twitter.com/2CCjTj1PIt

— New York Mets (@Mets) April 14, 2024

Buttó is in the rotation as a fill-in for the fill-in, taking the spot of Tylor Megill, who was taking the spot of Kodai Senga. It was precisely this dynamic — the early stress put on New York’s pitching depth — that undermined the Mets early in 2023 when Megill and David Peterson struggled in start after start. But Buttó’s emergence, late last season and now into this one, can help provide some stability.

Because, unlike his first start in the doubleheader against Detroit, Buttó can stick around for a while this time. That time, Buttó had to be sent back down as a 27th man not yet eligible to be promoted. Now he’s slated to stick in the rotation until Megill or Senga returns.

“He’s not going anywhere,” Mendoza said. “He’ll continue to get the ball.”

Through his first two starts of the season, Buttó has struck out 15 batters and allowed one run. He’s not the first Met to do that to begin a season, but the list is one you want to be on:

“I’m just doing my job,” said Buttó. “I just want to be ready.”

Despite a 46-minute rain delay, Buttó came out of the gate firing. He struck out the side in order in the first inning, seducing each of Kansas City’s top three hitters with a changeup that dropped off the table at the plate. He ended the day getting five of his nine punchouts and six of his 16 swings-and-misses on that change.

Buttó has become, however, more than just that changeup. He’s dabbled with a sweeper to help him against right-handed batters; last year, he posted reverse platoon splits thanks to his changeup. This season, he’s remained tough on lefties while improving against righties. Their average against him has dipped from .240 to .167 and their OPS off Buttó has fallen from .697 to .417.

The best part for Buttó? It’s not just the two starts this year. His run of strong outings dates to September of last year, when he finished the season with five good starts against quality competition.

Over his past seven major-league starts going back to last season, Buttó owns a 2.51 ERA and a WHIP under 1.000 over 39 1/3 innings. He’s struck out 43 in that stretch.

“I’ve got a lot of confidence now,” Buttó said, showing that confidence by conducting his postgame interview in English for the first time. “I’ve gotten more comfortable with all my pitches.”

The exposition

The Mets won their third straight series, taking two of three from the Royals at Citi Field. New York is 7-8 and the only National League team to play every game this season against a team currently over .500. The Mets are third in the National League East.

The Pirates drubbed the Phillies on Sunday to split a four-game series at Citizens Bank Park. Pittsburgh’s 11-5 record is still only good for second in the NL Central, percentage points behind the Brewers.

The Dodgers dropped the Sunday night rubber game from the Padres in Chavez Ravine. At 11-7, Los Angeles has a two-game lead in the NL West over San Diego. LA hosts the Nationals for three Monday through Wednesday.

The pitching possibles

v. Pittsburgh

RHP Adrian Houser (0-1, 5.40 ERA) v. LHP Martín Pérez (1-0, 1.89 ERA)
LHP Jose Quintana (1-1, 3.45) v. RHP Jared Jones (1-2, 4.00)
RHP Luis Severino (1-1, 3.00) v. LHP Bailey Falter (1-0, 4.20)

at Los Angeles

LHP Sean Manaea (1-1, 4.30) v. RHP Gavin Stone (1-1, 6.14)
RHP Jose Buttó (0-0, 0.75) v. LHP James Paxton (2-0, 1.64)
RHP Adrian Houser v. RHP Tyler Glasnow (3-0, 2.25)

Injury updates

Red = 60-day IL
Orange = 15-day IL
Blue = 10-day IL

• J.D. Martinez is scheduled to resume swinging the bat on Monday. He’s still a few days away, Mendoza said, from getting back into minor-league action. Martinez hasn’t played since last Saturday for Low-A St. Lucie, after which he started to feel back tightness. Martinez received a shot in his back last Tuesday.

• Kodai Senga’s placement on the 60-day IL means he can’t return until the final week of May. Senga is throwing out to 120 feet and will start playing catch from a mound imminently, Mendoza said over the weekend.

• Sean Reid-Foley started a rehab assignment with High-A Brooklyn on Sunday, striking out the side in 14 pitches.

Minor-league schedule

Triple-A: Syracuse at Charlotte (Chicago, AL)
Double-A: Binghamton v. Reading (Philadelphia)
High-A: Brooklyn at Jersey Shore (Philadelphia)
Low-A: St. Lucie v. Tampa (New York, AL)

Last week in Mets

• What Sunday meant to Dwight Gooden
• What was it like hitting against Gooden?
• Sean Manaea is honoring his late brother every time he pitches
• What Carlos Mendoza’s early changes to the lineup mean
• Brett Baty is playing with joy again
• The Mets are struggling to control the running game
• How soon might the Mets promote a top pitching prospect?
• The breakout offensive comeback in Atlanta
• TWIM: What’s concerning and what’s not in the Mets’ start

A note on the epigraph

“The Brothers Karamazov” is the best novel ever written.

Trivia time

The Mets’ record for strikeouts in consecutive games at any point in the season is owned by Dwight Gooden from 1984. How many did Gooden strike out over back-to-back games?

(Bonus points if you know which teams they were against. The hint is that the two teams reside in the same state.)

I’ll reply to the right answer(s) in the comments.

(Photo of Jose Buttó: Brad Penner / USA Today)