PORT ST. LUCIE — A probably full rotation that features reinforcements, and José Buttó’s success within the bullpen final season helped make the choice straightforward for Mets officers.
Buttó will work in spring coaching as a reliever.
“He wants to contribute and do whatever it will take to help the team win games,” supervisor Carlos Mendoza stated Thursday after Buttó confronted hitters in reside batting follow. “We used him out of that role last year and he’s comfortable, but who knows what will happen throughout the year?”
Buttó will likely be a multi-inning reliever after thriving in that position final season.
In 23 appearances in reduction he pitched to a 2.00 ERA with 41 strikeouts in 36 innings.
Buttó recorded a minimum of 4 outs in 12 of his 23 reduction appearances.
“He learned a lot last year and it was hard and was a grind for him, going through the ups and downs and going deep into October,” Mendoza stated. “Pitching when you are not feeling at your best, you have got to find a way to get the job done.”
The purpose, in response to Mendoza, will likely be to increase Buttó to 40-45 pitches in his appearances this spring.
“Physically he is capable of it and he’s feeling good and it was good to see him throw a live batting practice this early,” Mendoza stated.
Mendoza desires most of his relievers accessible for multi-inning obligation this season, if wanted, however Dedniel Núñez is amongst those that received’t be thought of for such work as he returns from forearm tightness that ended his season in August.
“We have got to keep these guys healthy,” Mendoza stated. “[Núñez] is a big piece of that bullpen on the back end and we want to be careful with him.”
A.J. Minter, who’s rehabbing from a hip surgical procedure, is one other reliever Mendoza stated will doubtless be restricted to one-inning appearances.
