Mets give Tylor Megill spot in rotation to start season in place of injured Kodai Senga

JUPITER, Fla. — Tylor Megill, the favorite all along, officially is Kodai Senga’s replacement in the Mets’ rotation.

Club officials informed Megill on Wednesday that he made the team, manager Carlos Mendoza said, making final what had been likely since Senga went down with a strained right shoulder a month ago.

Jose Butto, another righthander, will open the season with Triple-A Syracuse despite a strong showing in spring training.

In reality, Butto stood little chance of breaking camp with the Mets barring another injury or a total meltdown by Megill. As a consolation prize, Butto positioned himself as the next on the starting pitcher depth chart, the top option when they inevitably need a sixth starter — including, say, during a 13-day stretch without an off day beginning April 5.

The Mets expect Butto to contribute to the team. But Megill will get the first shot.

Megill has a 3.45 ERA in five Grapefruit League appearances, striking out 16 batters (and walking four) in 15 2/3 innings. Butto had a 0.90 ERA (one run in 10 innings), with nine strikeouts and two walks.

Senga, meanwhile, hasn’t so much as thrown a baseball in the four weeks since the Mets shut him down after he reported an issue with his shoulder. In an absolute best-case scenario, he is slated to miss the first month of the season.