Colorado Rockies The
Colorado Rockies selected Butler in the first round of the
2012 Major League Baseball draft. He signed with the Rockies, receiving a $1 million
signing bonus. Butler began the 2013 season with the
Asheville Tourists of the
Single-A South Atlantic League, but after making nine starts for Asheville, he was promoted to the
Modesto Nuts of the
High-A California League. He was named to appear in the 2013
All-Star Futures Game, where he pitched an inning without allowing a run. Butler made six starts for the
Tulsa Drillers of the
Double-A Texas League to conclude the season. The Rockies invited Butler to
spring training in 2014. They assigned him to Tulsa to start the 2014 season, and he started Tulsa's season opener. After he pitched to a 2.49 ERA with 40 strikeouts and 19
walks in
innings pitched, the Rockies promoted Butler to the major leagues for his debut on June 6. He recorded a loss in his first start, pitching 5innings and giving up 6 runs on 10 hits. He was placed on the disabled-list before his next scheduled start with right shoulder inflammation, and he was replaced by
Tyler Matzek, who would be the third starting pitcher to debut for the Rockies in six days, along with Butler and
Christian Bergman. Butler won the fifth starter's spot out of Spring Training in 2015. Butler struggled mightily at the beginning, inducing 30 walks while striking out just 29 in innings. He was demoted at the end of May to the Triple-A
Albuquerque Isotopes. Butler was once again called up, he finished the season with a 3–10 record along with an ERA of 5.90 in 16 games started. He also had his first complete game of his career. Right-handed batters had a higher batting average against him, .340, than against all other MLB pitchers in 30 or more innings. Butler finished the 2016 season 2–5 with a 7.17 ERA. On January 28, 2017, Butler was
designated for assignment.
Chicago Cubs On February 1, 2017, Butler was traded to the
Chicago Cubs in exchange for
James Farris. He made his Cubs debut on May 12 and pitched 6 shutout innings in a 3–2 victory over the Cardinals. Butler spent time in the Cubs' rotation and with the Triple-A
Iowa Cubs, appearing in 13 games for Chicago, 11 of them starts. In innings, Butler was 4–3 with a 3.95 ERA and 30 strikeouts. The following season, Butler began the season in the Cubs'
bullpen before being placed on the 60-day disabled list with a right groin strain on June 11, 2018.
Texas Rangers On July 27, 2018, Butler (along with Rollie Lacy and Alexander Ovalles) was traded to the
Texas Rangers in exchange for
Cole Hamels. In 22 appearances, he pitched to a 6.47 ERA in 32 innings while going 2-for-2 in save opportunities. Butler elected free agency on November 21.
NC Dinos On December 3, 2018, Butler signed a one-year, $800,000 contract with the
NC Dinos of the
KBO League. He was waived on July 3, 2019, after pitching to a 3–6 record with a 4.76 ERA and 49 strikeouts in 13 starts.
Chicago Dogs On June 17, 2020, Butler signed with the
Chicago Dogs of the
American Association of Independent Professional Baseball. In 12 games (11 starts) for the Dogs, he struggled to an 0-7 record and 5.65 ERA with 40 strikeouts across innings pitched. On November 12, Butler was released by Chicago.
Kansas City Royals On May 4, 2021, Butler signed with the
Southern Maryland Blue Crabs of the
Atlantic League of Professional Baseball. However, the next day, the
Kansas City Royals organization purchased Butler's contract and assigned him to the Triple-A
Omaha Storm Chasers. Butler made 27 appearances for Omaha, going 7–3 with a 6.01 ERA and 55 strikeouts. On September 8, the Royals released Butler.
Southern Maryland Blue Crabs On April 13, 2022, Butler signed with the
Southern Maryland Blue Crabs of the
Atlantic League of Professional Baseball. Butler started 26 games for the Blue Crabs in 2022, posting a 12–6 record and 4.94 ERA with 94 strikeouts in 155 innings pitched.
Charleston Dirty Birds On January 27, 2023, Butler was traded to the
Charleston Dirty Birds of the
Atlantic League of Professional Baseball in exchange for infielder Jose Rosario. In 3 starts, he struggled to a 9.82 ERA with 8 strikeouts in 11 innings of work. On July 25, Butler was released by Charleston. ==References==