Mets Notes: Jose Butto nursing groin injury, Brandon Nimmo's availability for Opening Day not in doubt

Mets manager Carlos Mendoza spoke following Friday's tie with the St. Louis Cardinals at Clover Park.

Here are the takeaways...

Jose Butto not pitching at full strength

Butto didn't see any Grapefruit League action this past week due to a "minor" groin injury, but the starter-turned-reliever threw a bullpen on Friday that encouraged the Mets' coaching staff.

"He was good. I didn't see it, but talking to [pitching coach Jeremy Hefner], he felt good and there was no hesitation," Mendoza said. "The ball was coming out fine. He was fine. We'll see how he feels tomorrow, and whether we want to throw him on the backfield or feel comfortable putting him in a game tomorrow."

Considering that the Mets aren't too worried about Butto's groin, it's safe to assume the 26-year-old will be an available bullpen arm once Opening Day arrives in two weeks. Butto thrived in a multi-inning relief role last season, posting a pristine 2.00 ERA with 41 strikeouts in 36 innings (23 appearances).

Entering camp, the goal was for Butto to increase his workload to 40-45 pitches per outing. While the time off from games has been inconvenient, his arm is at least fresh and healthy. Butto's logged just 3.2 innings of work this spring.

Kodai Senga lauded for his diligence

Senga's second start of the spring wasn't exactly crisp -- he allowed seven hits and two earned runs across 3.1 innings (53 pitches) in the Mets' 3-3 draw with the Cardinals.

But the box score doesn't always dictate successes and failures for pitchers in mid-March. Despite the mistakes made Friday, Senga and Mendoza were still content with the overall performance. The Mets' skipper labeled the outing as "okay."

"I don't think he had his best stuff, but this is what spring training's for," Mendoza said. "On a day where he's probably not having his best pitches, he's got to battle. He's facing outside competition and he's got to find a way. I thought it was a good workday for him."

It's no secret that Senga, pitching at the top of his craft, would resemble a much-needed ace for a Mets rotation that's widely viewed as vulnerable. His stock dipped due to injuries in the 2024 regular season and uninspiring performances in the postseason.

But the Senga who recorded a stellar 2.98 ERA with 202 strikeouts during his first MLB campaign in 2023 is waiting to return. And Mendoza is appreciating the time he's taken to foster his relationship with the Japanese right-hander.

"The one thing I've learned is how meticulous he is in between outings," Mendoza said. "His preparation has been really impressive. When to back off, when to step up a little bit... We know what he means to this team and this rotation. Everyone saw it in 2023, and that's what we're looking for here..."

Brandon Nimmo making positive strides

Nimmo admitted on Friday afternoon that he isn't sure whether he'll be in the outfield for the Mets on Opening Day. The veteran outfielder is still dealing with right knee discomfort that emerged on Feb. 28, and he acknowledged that he isn't feeling 100 percent just yet.

The good news is that he returned to the Mets' lineup as a designated hitter on Thursday against the Boston Red Sox, and the expectation is for him to serve in the same role on Saturday against the Washington Nationals.

It's certainly possible that Nimmo isn't ready to play the field once March 27 arrives, but Mendoza didn't express any concern with his recovery and progression.

"I'm not [concerned]. Obviously, we'll be flexible," Mendoza said. "Talking to the trainers, this can turn the corner at any day. Let the medicine, the shot kick in. Sometimes it takes 7-10 days, sometimes it takes two weeks. He's getting at-bats, and I wouldn't be surprised if, pretty soon, he comes in ready to go."

Nimmo, who received a gel injection in his knee last week, resumed baseball activities in Port St. Lucie on Monday. He ripped a single in his first at-bat against the Red Sox, and proceeded to strike out in the third inning and fly out to left in the sixth.

Topics

Mets' Brandon Nimmo still uncertain about Opening Day role amid knee injury

The Mets expect Brandon Nimmo to be their designated hitter on Saturday, but the veteran outfielder isn't sure if he'll be playing in the same role when Opening Day arrives in less than two weeks.
Yahoo Sports - 2d
Juan Soto homers, drives in two as Mets and Cardinals play to tie

Juan Soto homered and Kodai Senga was inconsistent as the Mets and Cardinals played to a 3-3 tie on Friday night in Port St. Lucie.
Yahoo Sports - 2d
Kodai Senga rediscovering peak form is more important than ever for Mets rotation

Kodai Senga was just "ok" in Friday's spring training start against the Cardinals, but the Mets need their ace healthy and to find his peak form to compete with their rotation riddled with injuries.
Yahoo Sports - 2d
SEE IT: Mets’ Kodai Senga throws ‘miracle ball’ pitch in spring training game

During his second spring game, Mets ace Kodai Senga threw a slow curveball to a Cardinals hitter. Like the ghost fork, the right-hander has a name for it.
Yahoo Sports - 2d
$Mets' Francisco Alvarez to miss 6-8 weeks with fracture in left hand$
Mets' Francisco Alvarez to miss 6-8 weeks with fracture in left hand

Mets manager Carlos Mendoza announced on Sunday morning that catcher Francisco Alvarez has a fractured hamate bone in his left hand and will be out for six-to-eight weeks following surgery.
Yahoo Sports - Mar. 9
Mets give newcomer Holmes nod for Opening Day

Mets right-hander Clay Holmes will take the mound on opening day for his first start since 2018.
ESPN - 2d
Cincinnati Reds spring training: Reds drop pair of games; Jose Trevino exits with injury

The Cincinnati Reds were swept in a pair of split-squad spring training games Friday. Catcher Jose Trevino exited after being hit on hand by foul tip.
Yahoo Sports - 2d
Padgett's signature night puts Brandon Valley past Washington in Class AA girls semifinals

Mar. 15—RAPID CITY — With a spot in the championship game at stake, Brandon Valley's Alyvia Padgett put together a signature performance on Friday night. It was one that advanced the Lynx through ...
Yahoo Sports - 1d
After working hard all offseason, Mets’ Clay Holmes ‘honored’ to receive Opening Day nod

After grinding all offseason in his transition to becoming a part of the rotation, right-hander Clay Holmes has been named the Mets' Opening Day starter.
Yahoo Sports - 2d

Mets Notes: Jose Butto nursing groin injury, Brandon Nimmo's availability for Opening Day not in doubt

Jose Butto not pitching at full strength

Kodai Senga lauded for his diligence

Brandon Nimmo making positive strides

Topics

Related

Mets' Brandon Nimmo still uncertain about Opening Day role amid knee injury

Juan Soto homers, drives in two as Mets and Cardinals play to tie

Kodai Senga rediscovering peak form is more important than ever for Mets rotation

SEE IT: Mets’ Kodai Senga throws ‘miracle ball’ pitch in spring training game

Mets' Francisco Alvarez to miss 6-8 weeks with fracture in left hand

Mets give newcomer Holmes nod for Opening Day

Cincinnati Reds spring training: Reds drop pair of games; Jose Trevino exits with injury

Padgett's signature night puts Brandon Valley past Washington in Class AA girls semifinals

After working hard all offseason, Mets’ Clay Holmes ‘honored’ to receive Opening Day nod

More from Yahoo Sports

Power rankings Big Ten basketball teams entering March Madness: Who is set for a deep run?

Power rankings Big Ten basketball teams entering March Madness: Who is set for a deep run?

Yahoo Sports AM: Brackets revealed

Auburn basketball’s first round opponent revealed ahead of 2025 NCAA Tournament

Best 2025 March Madness bracket names to use in NCAA Tournament pools

More in Sports

Source: Pulisic in talks over new AC Milan deal

What do the first two rounds of a perfect draft look like?

Norris' narrow Australian GP win over Verstappen belies McLaren dominance

Josh Berry gets first career Cup Series win at Vegas

How does Josh Allen getting paid affect the rest of the Bills?