Mets' bullpen welcomes Maton, then shines vs. Nats

NEW YORK -- Phil Maton arrived at Citi Field in the early afternoon hours Wednesday, joking that he had about 50 or so people to meet, a few dozen names to learn. But there was no time for a lengthy indoctrination. The Mets, deep into a stretch of 17 games in 17 days before the All-Star break, needed bullpen help. And fast.

Maton knew that, though he was at least spared an even more stressful day as the Mets managed a 6-2 win over the Nationals without his services. As Maton spent his evening growing acclimated to Queens, the Mets relied on José Buttó for a four-out save in what was -- finally -- a strong overall bullpen performance. Buttó, Danny Young and Jake Diekman combined on eight total outs of relief, placing a temporary patch on a 'pen that sorely needed it.

• Mets land reliever Maton in trade with Rays

“I’ve been saying it -- eventually, they’re going to get it done,” manager Carlos Mendoza said. “They’re going through a rough stretch here, but at some point, I was pretty confident that they are going to get the job done. And tonight was a perfect example.”

As they have done often in recent weeks, the Mets built a solid lead in this one, thanks to Brandon Nimmo’s early solo homer and Jose Iglesias’ go-ahead two-run single in the sixth. Only this time, the Mets didn’t give any of it back. After Diekman struck out the final two batters in the seventh, Young recorded two outs in the eighth and Buttó -- a starting pitcher moonlighting as a reliever this month -- handled the final four for his first career save.

He became one of eight Mets to record a save this season, marking just the third time in franchise history that’s happened -- and the first time in 42 years.

“For me, [I was] surprised,” Buttó said, laughing about the reception he received in the postgame clubhouse, with Edwin Díaz in particular congratulating him. “I’m a starter, I’m in the bullpen, but I’m grateful. I’m excited to help the team to win and get the save, too.”

It’s not unreasonable to think Maton could eventually earn a save for the Mets as well; under different circumstances, Mendoza indicated, he would have used the right-hander in the ninth inning, with Díaz having pitched in three of the team’s last four games. Instead, Maton will be fresh and fully rested for his Mets debut -- whenever it comes.

“I told him the situation we were at bullpen-wise, this stretch of so many games in a row,” Mendoza said. “He’ll be ready.”

Maton is not a closer, having saved just four games over an eight-year career, and the Mets already employ a ninth-inning specialist in Díaz. But Maton does have experience in high-leverage spots, including in October, and Díaz cannot pitch every night. More than that, the Mets have few other places in their bullpen they can confidently turn.

On Wednesday, the team placed Reed Garrett on the injured list due to right elbow inflammation. He’s having an MRI read Thursday. Brooks Raley and Nate Lavender both recently underwent Tommy John surgery, and Drew Smith is heading for it. Diekman, one of the team’s most significant offseason relief acquisitions, has a 7.11 ERA over his last 20 appearances, while Adam Ottavino holds a 6.85 mark in his last 24. Five of the eight relievers on New York’s Opening Day roster are no longer part of the bullpen.

Enter Maton, who sliced his ERA from 6.56 to 4.58 over the span of a month thanks in large part to a simple mechanical fix. Unlike so many of his new Mets teammates, Maton now appears to be trending in the right direction.

“It’s something a 7-year-old should be told when they’re doing pitching lessons,” the right-hander said of his adjustment, which hinged on the direction of his landing foot. “It’s amazing that I still have to be told that at 31 years old.”

Maton didn’t walk into the Mets’ clubhouse a complete stranger, having played with Francisco Lindor and Ben Gamel in Cleveland and Luis Torrens in San Diego. From his Cleveland days, Maton also knows current Mets third-base coach Mike Sarbaugh, who gave up his No. 88 to the newcomer. Maton, who has worn that uniform number since the Padres randomly issued it to him as a rookie in 2017, becomes the first player to wear No. 88 in Mets history.

There was a chance he might have even become a Met sooner, as the sides discussed contract terms early last offseason before Maton instead inked a one-year, $6.25 million deal with the Rays.

He wound up making his way to Flushing regardless, in a greater time of need.

“Happy to have him, obviously, especially where we’re at on the schedule,” Mendoza said. “I’ve seen him from the other side of the dugout. Finally, he’s on my team. He’ll be ready to go.”