TEXAS RANGERS MAKE BULLPEN MOVE! JOSÉ BUTTÓ ACQUIRED FROM SAN FRANCISCO GIANTS IN WAIVER CLAIM
The Texas Rangers have strengthened their pitching options ahead of the 2027 MLB season after successfully acquiring right-handed pitcher José Buttó from the San Francisco Giants through a waiver claim.
The Texas Rangers have officially announced the acquisition of right-handed pitcher José Buttó from the San Francisco Giants, adding another experienced arm to their pitching department as the organisation continues preparations for the upcoming 2027 Major League Baseball season.
The move was confirmed on Monday, November 2, 2026, as the Rangers continue to reshape their roster and identify players who could contribute to the team’s ambitions next season.
Buttó, 28, brings valuable Major League experience to Texas, having spent five seasons in the big leagues with the New York Mets and San Francisco Giants. His arrival represents another opportunity for the Rangers to add depth and competition to their bullpen while potentially benefiting from a pitcher who has previously demonstrated his ability to perform at a high level.
The Venezuelan-born right-hander has established himself as a capable Major League pitcher, recording a career 13-10 win-loss record, a 3.76 earned run average (ERA), and 185 strikeouts across 189 innings in 98 appearances.
Although his 2026 campaign was significantly affected by injury, the Rangers will be hoping that a fresh opportunity in Texas can help him rediscover the form that made him an important member of the Mets’ pitching staff.
TEXAS RANGERS CONFIRM JOSÉ BUTTÓ ACQUISITION
The Rangers officially announced the transaction, confirming that Buttó had been acquired through a waiver claim from San Francisco.
The move comes at a time when teams across Major League Baseball are evaluating their rosters and making important decisions ahead of the new campaign.
For Texas, acquiring an experienced pitcher through waivers represents an opportunity to strengthen its pitching depth without having to surrender players in a traditional trade.
The organisation will now have the opportunity to evaluate Buttó’s condition, recovery progress, and potential role as preparations for the 2027 season continue.
The 28-year-old is expected to provide additional competition among the Rangers’ relief pitchers, although his eventual position within the pitching staff will depend on his health and performance.
Texas also announced another roster transaction involving infielder and outfielder Michael Helman, who cleared waivers and was assigned outright to the minor leagues.
These decisions form part of the Rangers’ ongoing roster adjustments as they work towards building a competitive team for the upcoming season.
WHO IS JOSÉ BUTTÓ?
José Alejandro Buttó is a Venezuelan professional baseball pitcher born on March 19, 1998, in Cumaná, Venezuela.
The right-handed pitcher began his professional baseball journey after signing with the New York Mets as an international free agent on December 21, 2016.
He gradually developed through the Mets’ minor league system, gaining experience and improving his pitching abilities before eventually making his Major League debut on August 21, 2022.
His development was an important part of his journey, as he continued working towards establishing himself as a reliable option at the highest level of professional baseball.
Buttó initially featured in both starting and relief roles before becoming more regularly involved in bullpen duties.
His ability to contribute in different pitching situations became one of the qualities that made him valuable to the Mets.
Over time, he demonstrated that he could provide innings, record strikeouts, and help his team manage difficult situations during games.
His experience across multiple Major League seasons is something the Rangers will hope to benefit from as they prepare for another competitive campaign.
HIS IMPRESSIVE 2024 CAMPAIGN WITH THE NEW YORK METS
One of the most encouraging periods of Buttó’s professional career came during the 2024 season with the New York Mets.
He enjoyed a productive campaign, making 30 appearances and recording a 7-3 win-loss record with a 2.55 ERA.
During that season, he recorded 79 strikeouts across 74 innings while establishing himself as a useful pitching option for the Mets.
His performances helped strengthen the team’s bullpen and demonstrated his ability to handle important responsibilities at the Major League level.
The Mets eventually advanced to the National League Championship Series, and Buttó was part of the pitching group that contributed to their successful postseason journey.
His ability to deliver quality innings made him an important option for the organisation.
Between 2023 and 2025, Buttó also ranked among National League pitchers with at least 150 innings in several statistical categories.
He ranked seventh in home runs allowed per nine innings, with a mark of 0.64, and 12th in hits allowed per nine innings, recording 6.69.
Across that three-year period, he produced a combined 3.30 ERA, further highlighting his ability to limit opposing hitters.
These statistics provide a clearer picture of the potential the Rangers could be acquiring if he successfully returns to his previous level of performance.
FROM NEW YORK TO SAN FRANCISCO
Buttó’s journey through Major League Baseball took another turn in July 2025 when the New York Mets traded him to the San Francisco Giants.
The transaction was part of a deal involving veteran right-handed reliever Tyler Rogers.
As part of the agreement, the Giants received Buttó, right-handed pitcher Blade Tidwell, and outfielder Drew Gilbert, while the Mets acquired Rogers.
Buttó subsequently joined the Giants and made his debut for the organisation on August 1, 2025, against his former team, the New York Mets.
During his time with San Francisco in 2025, he made 21 appearances, recording a 2-1 record with a 4.50 ERA across 20 innings.
Combining his appearances with both organisations that season, he made 55 appearances, recording a 3.90 ERA across 67 innings with the Mets and Giants.
However, his time with San Francisco was interrupted by injury during the 2026 campaign.
INJURY CONCERNS AND THE ROAD TO RECOVERY
While Buttó’s acquisition provides the Rangers with an experienced pitching option, his recent injury history remains an important consideration.
The right-hander made just three appearances for the Giants during the 2026 season before experiencing discomfort in his right arm.
He was placed on the injured list on April 2 after being diagnosed with right-arm fatigue.
Further medical examinations revealed a blood clot in his right arm, requiring a procedure to address the condition.
His recovery process also involved another surgical procedure, which significantly affected his ability to contribute during the season.
According to the Rangers’ announcement, the injury caused him to miss the remainder of the 2026 campaign.
Before being sidelined, Buttó had recorded five strikeouts across two innings in three appearances for San Francisco.
However, he also allowed five earned runs during those outings, resulting in a 22.50 ERA.
Those early-season numbers do not necessarily reflect his overall ability, considering the physical problems he was experiencing at the time.
The Rangers will therefore need to carefully assess his recovery and determine how best to manage his return to competitive baseball.
His health will be particularly important as the organisation looks to build a dependable bullpen for 2027.
WHAT DOES BUTTÓ BRING TO THE TEXAS RANGERS?
The acquisition gives Texas another experienced right-handed pitcher with a history of contributing at the Major League level.
With 98 career appearances and 189 innings pitched, Buttó has accumulated considerable experience in different pitching situations.
His career statistics include:
– Player: José Alejandro Buttó
– Age: 28
– Nationality: Venezuelan
– Position: Right-handed pitcher
– MLB Debut: August 21, 2022
– Career Record: 13-10
– Career ERA: 3.76
– Career Strikeouts: 185
– Career Innings: 189.0
– Career Appearances: 98
– Previous Teams: New York Mets and San Francisco Giants
– New Team: Texas Rangers
One of the biggest advantages of the acquisition is the opportunity to add an experienced arm to the pitching department.
Buttó has previously demonstrated the ability to work as both a starter and reliever, giving the Rangers some flexibility when considering how he could fit into their plans.
His ground-ball tendencies and ability to limit hits during his more successful seasons could also make him an interesting option for the pitching staff.
However, his eventual contribution will depend heavily on his physical condition and ability to regain consistency after his injury setbacks.
A NEW OPPORTUNITY FOR THE VENEZUELAN PITCHER
For Buttó, joining the Texas Rangers represents another opportunity to continue his Major League career.
After beginning his journey with the New York Mets and later moving to San Francisco, he now has a new organisation where he can work towards establishing himself once again.
At 28 years old, he still has an opportunity to contribute meaningful innings at the highest level.
The Rangers will be hoping that their latest acquisition can provide valuable depth and potentially become an important part of their bullpen rotation.
His previous performances, particularly during the 2024 season, demonstrate that he possesses the experience and ability to compete in Major League Baseball.
The challenge now will be returning to full fitness and demonstrating that he can reproduce those performances after an injury-disrupted campaign.
WHAT’S NEXT FOR THE RANGERS?
The Texas Rangers continue to make adjustments as they prepare for the 2027 season.
Adding José Buttó through a waiver claim is a relatively low-cost move that could provide significant benefits if the pitcher successfully returns to form.
The organisation will have an opportunity to evaluate his recovery, assess his pitching capabilities, and determine the best role for him moving forward.
While the acquisition does not automatically guarantee a regular place in the bullpen, it provides another option for the Rangers as they continue building their roster.
The coming months will be important in determining how Buttó fits into the organisation’s plans.
For now, Rangers supporters will be watching closely to see whether the Venezuelan right-hander can overcome his injury problems and make a successful return to the mound.
FINAL THOUGHTS
The Texas Rangers have officially added José Buttó to their roster through a waiver claim from the San Francisco Giants.
It is a move that combines experience, potential, and an opportunity for redemption following a difficult injury-hit season.
With a career 3.76 ERA, 185 strikeouts, and an impressive 2024 campaign behind him, Buttó has already shown what he can offer at the highest level.
The big question is whether he can return to full fitness and deliver those performances again in a Texas Rangers uniform.
Welcome to Texas, José Buttó! ⚾🔥
Source: Texas Rangers official announcement and MLB player statistics.
