Jose Butto makes return as key Mets bullpen pieces start to fall into place

New York Post

24-07-2025

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José Buttó's final line wasn't great for the Mets on Wednesday, but the return of a proven arm was a welcome development for the club.
Slowly, the Mets bullpen is regaining pieces — even as team brass searches for an upgrade or two heading to the trade deadline.
Buttó allowed two earned runs on three hits over two-thirds of an inning in the 6-3 victory over the Angels at Citi Field, but he was picked up by Brooks Raley — who got the final out in the seventh and two more in the eighth.
'With Buttó, I liked the velocity, and he threw strikes,' Carlos Mendoza said. 'In general, I didn't see big misses or the velo wasn't there, it just didn't go his way today.'
Buttó had been sidelined with an illness since July 1.
He joined the lefty Raley, whose rehab from Tommy John surgery ended last week, as another high-leverage option for the bullpen in recent days.
'[Buttó] has been a big part of our bullpen, and we felt it when he went down,' Mendoza said before the game. 'This is a guy who helps you bridge the gap and get the ball to the back end of the bullpen.'
José Buttó throws a pitch during the seventh inning of the Mets' 6-3 win over the Angels on July 23, 2025.
Robert Sabo / New York Post
Buttó owns a 2.84 ERA in 32 appearances this season.
That Raley, in his third appearance off the IL, could return for two outs in the eighth after escaping trouble in the seventh was 'huge,' according to Mendoza.
Raley had retired Mike Trout, the potential tying run, in the seventh.
'We are asking a lot out of him right out of the gate,' Mendoza said. 'Ideally, I didn't want to push him to [29] pitches, but that is where we were today.'
Brooks Raley throws a pitch during the eighth inning of the Mets' win over the Angels.
Jason Szenes / New York Post
Earlier this week, president of baseball operations David Stearns identified the bullpen as a primary focus heading into the July 31 trade deadline.
Justin Garza was optioned to Triple-A Syracuse to clear space for Buttó.
Paul Blackburn, who is rehabbing from a shoulder impingement, felt good in his minor league outing on Wednesday and will start another game for Syracuse before he's considered for a return, according to Mendoza.
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The right-hander will serve as rotation insurance — and as the sixth starter when needed — in addition to long relief.
Jesse Winker has not yet progressed to baseball activities as he rehabs a lower back strain, according to Mendoza.
Starling Marte, in his first appearance since returning from the IL a day earlier, finished 2-for-4 with a double. Marte is 24-for-67 (.358) with an .875 OPS over his past 18 games.