Tylor Megill is rejoining the Mets rotation — at least for now — which means Jose Butto will stay in the bullpen.
Manager Carlos Mendoza announced Thursday that Megill will start Saturday against Atlanta in place of Christian Scott, who was placed on the injured list with a sprained UCL.
Knocked around in his final two starts with the Mets in June, Megill was also shaky in his first two outings at Triple-A Syracuse before a strong start on Friday, when the right-hander allowed just an unearned run in five innings.
Pitching coach Jeremy Hefner said Megill “did what he was supposed to do” during his stint in the minors, mostly working on his sinker to right-handed hitters, as well as adjusting his slider.
“The velocity is still there,’’ Hefner said. “He walked a few more people than we would have liked, but we’re confident he’s figured some stuff out.”
And that leaves Butto in the pen, where the 26-year-old has thrived this month.
In six appearances as a reliever, Butto entered Thursday having allowed just one run over 10 ²/₃ innings.
His numbers, impressive in seven starts this year, have been even better as a reliever.
Mendoza noted that Butto might be needed prior to Saturday out of the bullpen, where the manager said he’s been “huge” and is no longer built up as a starter.
With Brandon Nimmo getting a night out of the lineup against Atlanta lefty Chris Sale and Harrison Bader still nursing a sore right ankle, Mendoza went with an outfield that still included a pair of left-handed hitters in Jeff McNeil and DJ Stewart, but he also moved the red-hot Jose Iglesias into the two-hole for the first time.
Iglesias hadn’t hit higher than sixth in the lineup since joining the Mets at the end of May.
“Looking at what we’ve got in the lineup, he’s been huge for us and I feel good with him anywhere in the lineup,’’ Mendoza said. “He’s a guy with bat-to-ball skills and the impact he has making contact, his ability to put the ball in play with runners in scoring position, there’s a lot to like about him. He’s a pretty good player. I’m comfortable with him anywhere in the lineup.”
Nimmo entered Thursday hitless in his previous 13 at-bats, but Mendoza said he’s not concerned.
Asked what’s stood out about his recent at-bats, Mendoza said, “Nothing in particular. He’s still putting up good swings. They’re pitching him tough and he’s missing some fastballs at times.”
Sean Reid-Foley threw live batting practice Thursday at Citi Field, which Mendoza said went well.
The right-hander, out with a shoulder impingement, had been scheduled to begin a rehab assignment Thursday with High-A Brooklyn, but the team opted for a live BP to allow Reid-Foley to work on his mechanics.
If he doesn’t report any issues, he’s expected to next pitch Sunday for Brooklyn.