When Mets ace Kodai Senga went down with a shoulder injury in the first week of camp, the team made it clear that they would seek his replacement from within.
On Wednesday, the Mets announced who will take Senga’s spot in the rotation as he recovers: Tylor Megill. His preparation in the offseason, entering camp in shape and already throwing live batting practice, played a big factor in the team’s decision to put home on the Opening Day squad.
The way he approached his offseason and how he prepares, he was working on new pitches and all of that. He came ready to go, just like (José) Buttó did,” Mets manager Carlos Mendoza told reporters from the visitor’s dugout at Roger Dean Chevrolet, spring home of the Marlins. “And then the outings, the way he threw the baseball, how he was bouncing back, this is a guy who’s done it.
“He’s got a little bit more experience than Buttó, and we decided to go that route.”
In five Grapefruit League games (four starts), Megill has allowed six runs in 15-2/3 innings (3.45 ERA) with 16 strikeouts.
The move comes with a setback for José Buttó, another equally deserving player who has been optioned to Triple-A Syracuse.
The decision wasn’t an easy one for Mendoza, who expects to see Buttó in the rotation again soon.
