Independence Day for the Mets will be the one in which they don’t place a player on the injured list.
On Friday it was Jose Butto joining the IL, with what the team classified as an illness.
Manager Carlos Mendoza declined to specify the ailment but said it’s not something expected to keep the right-hander sidelined long term and he will likely return immediately after the All-Star break.
Butto, who last pitched in Pittsburgh on June 28, owns a 2.47 ERA in 31 appearances this season.
The Mets recalled right-hander Chris Devenski from Triple-A Syracuse to replace Butto in the bullpen.
Butto became the third Mets pitcher in two days placed on the IL: Paul Blackburn (shoulder impingement) and Dedniel Nunez (elbow sprain) were added to the list Thursday.
Nunez, who potentially faces Tommy John surgery for the second time in his career, is scheduled to receive further medical evaluation next week, according to Mendoza.
A positive development for the club is Kodai Senga’s scheduled minor league rehab start Saturday for Double-A Binghamton.
Senga, who is rehabbing a hamstring strain, could need only one start in the minors before rejoining the Mets’ rotation next weekend in Kansas City.
