The Mets will skip Max Scherzer’s scheduled Sunday start in Oakland due to ‘back soreness.’ The area in question lies below his scapula, according to Mike Puma. The plan is for Scherzer to start the subsequent series finale against the Dodgers on Wednesday. José Butto will start in Scherzer’s place on Sunday.
The Butto start is not entirely surprising, as he was being discussed last week as a potential spot-starter on the West Coast road trip, though those reports were dismissed on Friday. Butto is coming off of two quality appearances for Triple-A Syracuse, where he struck out eight and walked five over 9.