Drew Butera

{{Infobox baseball biography

| name = Drew Butera

| image = Drew Butera on June 6, 2016.jpg

| image_size =

| caption = Butera with the Kansas City Royals in 2016

| team = Chicago White Sox

| number = 39

| position = Catcher / Coach

| birth_date = {{Birth date and age|1983|8|9}}

| birth_place = Evansville, Indiana, U.S.

| bats = Right

| throws = Right

| debutleague = MLB

| debutdate = April 9

| debutyear = 2010

| debutteam = Minnesota Twins

|finalleague=MLB

|finaldate=May 27

|finalyear=2021

|finalteam=Los Angeles Angels

| statleague = MLB

| stat1label = Batting average

| stat1value = .196

| stat3label = Home runs

| stat3value = 19

| stat4label = Runs batted in

| stat4value = 123

| teams =

As player

Minnesota Twins ({{mlby|2010}}–{{mlby|2013}})
Los Angeles Dodgers ({{mlby|2013}}–{{mlby|2014}})
Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim ({{mlby|2015}})
Kansas City Royals ({{mlby|2015}}–{{mlby|2018}})
Colorado Rockies ({{mlby|2018}}–{{mlby|2020}})
Los Angeles Angels ({{mlby|2021}})

As coach

Los Angeles Angels ({{mlby|2022}}–{{mlby|2023}})
Chicago White Sox ({{mlby|2024}}–present)

| awards =

World Series champion ({{wsy|2015}})

}}

Andrew Edward Butera ({{IPAc-en|b|j|ʊ|ˈ|t|ɛər|ə}}; born August 9, 1983) is an American former professional baseball catcher who is currently on the coaching staff of the Chicago White Sox. He played in Major League Baseball (MLB) for the Minnesota Twins, Los Angeles Dodgers, Los Angeles Angels, Kansas City Royals, and Colorado Rockies.

The {{convert|6|ft|1|in|m}}, {{convert|210|lb|kg}} right-hander is the son of former major league catcher Sal Butera.{{cite web|url=http://mlb.mlb.com/team/player.jsp?player_id=111808|title=Sal Butera|publisher=Baseball-Reference.com|access-date=December 15, 2009}} Butera became the fifth catcher to catch a no hitter in both the American League (Francisco Liriano, 2011) and National League (Josh Beckett, 2014).

Butera has also pitched scoreless innings in both leagues, with a fastball reaching the mid-90s. In 2020, he became the first position player ever to pitch a scoreless ninth inning after the other team had scored in each of the first eight innings.{{cite news |last1=Stark |first1=Jayson |title=Useless Info |url=https://theathletic.com/2043541/2020/09/04/stark-the-useless-info-dept-23-skidoo-edition/ |website=The Athletic |access-date=September 4, 2020}}

Amateur career

Butera played baseball and golf at Bishop Moore High School in Orlando, Florida, graduating in 2002.{{Cite web|url=http://ucfknights.com/ViewArticle.dbml?DB_OEM_ID=34100&ATCLID=211761155|title=Drew Butera Bio - UCFKnights.com | UCF Knights Athletics|access-date=February 11, 2019|archive-date=February 12, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190212011719/http://ucfknights.com/ViewArticle.dbml?DB_OEM_ID=34100&ATCLID=211761155|url-status=dead}} He was selected by the Toronto Blue Jays in the 48th round of the 2002 Major League Baseball draft but opted instead to attend the University of Central Florida (UCF). In 2004, he played collegiate summer baseball for the Orleans Cardinals of the Cape Cod Baseball League.{{cite web |author= |url=http://www.thebaseballcube.com/college/summer/stats.asp?Y=2004&T=Orleans_Cardinals |title=2004 Orleans Cardinals |publisher=thebaseballcube.com |date= |accessdate=July 20, 2021}} In 2019, he was inducted into the UCF athletics hall of fame.{{cite web|url=https://www.ucf.edu/news/ucf-induct-six-athletics-hall-fame/ |title=UCF to Induct Six Into Athletics Hall of Fame |date=March 15, 2019 |publisher=ucf.edu |access-date=August 2, 2019}}

Professional career

=New York Mets=

Butera was selected by the New York Mets in the 5th round of the 2005 MLB draft.{{cite web |author=Bryan Hoch |date=June 8, 2005 |title=Q&A with Mets 5th Round Pick Drew Butera |url=http://mets.scout.com/2/385833.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110716021330/http://mets.scout.com/2/385833.html |archive-date=July 16, 2011 |access-date=May 12, 2010}} He signed with the Mets and made his professional debut that summer with the Low-A Brooklyn Cyclones. In 2006, he played for the Single-A Hagerstown Suns, slashing .186/.297/.281 with 5 home runs and 38 RBI.{{Cite web|url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/register/player.fcgi?id=butera001and|title=Drew Butera Minor, Winter & Fall Leagues Statistics & History|website=Baseball-Reference.com}}

In 2007, Butera batted .258/.348/.418 with five home runs and 22 runs batted in for the St. Lucie Mets and was named a Florida State League All-Star. Following the All-Star game, Butera was promoted to the Double-A Binghamton Mets.

=Minnesota Twins=

The Mets traded Butera and Dustin Martin on July 30, 2007 to the Minnesota Twins for second baseman Luis Castillo.{{cite news |last1=Noble |first1=Marty |date=July 31, 2007 |title=Mets unable to land reliever at deadline |url=http://mlb.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20070731&content_id=2119889&vkey=trade2007&fext=.jsp&c_id=mlb |access-date=August 22, 2014 |work=MLB.com}} After the trade, Butera finished the year with the Double-A New Britain Rock Cats. He remained in New Britain for the 2008 season, and posted a .219/.308/.354 batting line with 7 home runs and 39 RBI. On November 19, 2008, he was added to the Twins' 40-man roster.{{cite web|url=http://minnesota.twins.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20081119&content_id=3685366&vkey=news_min&fext=.jsp&c_id=min|title=Twins add eight to 40-man roster|author=Kelly Thesier|date=November 19, 2008|work=MLB.com|access-date=May 12, 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110617000549/http://minnesota.twins.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20081119&content_id=3685366&vkey=news_min&fext=.jsp&c_id=min|archive-date=June 17, 2011|url-status=dead}}

After playing winter ball with Lobos de Arecibo of the Liga de Beisbol Profesional de Puerto Rico,{{cite web|url=http://web.minorleaguebaseball.com/milb/stats/stats.jsp?pos=C&sid=milb&t=p_pbp&pid=460077|archive-url=https://archive.today/20120730195504/http://web.minorleaguebaseball.com/milb/stats/stats.jsp?pos=C&sid=milb&t=p_pbp&pid=460077|url-status=dead|archive-date=July 30, 2012|title=Minor League Baseball|access-date=December 15, 2009}} Butera made the Twins out of spring training in 2010.{{cite web|url=http://mlb.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20100331&content_id=9027192&vkey=news_min&fext=.jsp&c_id=min|title=Twins want Ramos to grow at Triple-A|author=Anthony DiComo|date=March 31, 2010|work=MLB.com}} He made his major league debut on April 9, 2010, against the Chicago White Sox,{{cite web|url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/players/b/buterdr01.shtml|title=Drew Butera statistics and history|work=baseball reference}} and got his first major league hit against the Cleveland Indians on April 22.{{cite web|url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/boxes/MIN/MIN201004220.shtml|title=April 22, 2010 Cleveland Indians at Minnesota Twins play by play and box score|work=Baseball Reference}} He hit his first career MLB home run in a 13–10 11-inning win against the Philadelphia Phillies on June 19.{{cite web|url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/boxes/PHI/PHI201006190.shtml|title=June 19, 2010 Minnesota Twins at Philadelphia Phillies play by play and box score|work=baseball reference}} As the Twins backup catcher, he appeared in 49 games in 2010, hitting .197/.237/.296 with 2 home runs and 13 RBIs in 155 plate appearances.

On May 3, 2011, Butera caught Francisco Liriano's no-hitter.{{cite web|url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/boxes/CHA/CHA201105030.shtml|title=May 3, 2011 Minnesota Twins at Chicago White Sox play by play and box score|work=Baseball Reference}} In 2011 with the Twins, he batted .167/.210/.239 with two home runs and 23 RBIs in 254 plate appearances.

File:Drew Butera on June 26, 2012.jpg]]

Butera began 2012 with the Triple-A Rochester Red Wings. After hitting .279 in 15 games with 1 home run and 5 RBI, he was called up to the Twins in May.{{cite web |last=Bollinger |first=Rhett |date=May 1, 2012 |title=Butera to join Twins for tilt against Angels |url=http://mlb.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20120501&content_id=30126430 |work=MLB.com}} On May 20, 2012, Butera pitched the eighth inning of the Twins 16–4 loss to the Milwaukee Brewers. Butera pitched a scoreless inning, issuing a walk and striking out Carlos Gómez.{{cite web|url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/boxes/MIL/MIL201205200.shtml|title=Box Score – Sunday, May 20, 2012|date=May 20, 2012}} He threw a fastball and a changeup.{{cite web|url=http://brooksbaseball.net/player_cards/player_card.php?player=460077|title=Brooks Baseball · Home of the PitchFX Tool – Player Card: Drew Butera|publisher=Brooks Baseball|access-date=October 15, 2012}} In 2012 for the Twins, he batted .198/.270/.279 with one home runs and 5 RBIs in 111 at bats.

After playing the 2013 World Baseball Classic for Italy, Butera only appeared in two games for the Twins, spending most of his time with Rochester, where he hit .229 in 26 games.{{cite web|url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/minors/player.cgi?id=butera001and|title=Drew Butera minor league statistics and history|work=Baseball Reference}}

=Los Angeles Dodgers=

On July 31, 2013, Butera was traded to the Los Angeles Dodgers for a player to be named later. He was then optioned to the Triple-A Albuquerque Isotopes.{{cite web|url=http://hardballtalk.nbcsports.com/2013/07/31/report-dodgers-acquire-catcher-drew-butera-from-twins|author=Matthew Pouliot|date=July 31, 2013|publisher=NBC Sports|title=Dodgers acquire catcher Drew Butera from Twins}}{{cite web|url=https://sports.yahoo.com/news/twins-trade-catcher-drew-butera-211855980--mlb.html|archive-url=https://archive.today/20130801023950/http://sports.yahoo.com/news/twins-trade-catcher-drew-butera-211855980--mlb.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=August 1, 2013|agency=Associated Press|date=July 31, 2013|publisher=Yahoo! Sports|title=Twins trade catcher Drew Butera to Dodgers}} In 16 games with the Isotopes, he hit .135. The Dodgers called him up on September 1.{{cite web|url=http://m.dodgers.mlb.com/news/article/59211352/|title=Dodgers add Butera, four others from Albuquerque|author=Ken Gurnick|work=mlb.com|date=September 1, 2013|access-date=October 1, 2014|archive-date=October 6, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141006100730/http://m.dodgers.mlb.com/news/article/59211352/|url-status=dead}} He appeared in five games for the Dodgers and had one hit in seven at bats.

File:20140919 Drew Butera.JPG]]

On May 15, 2014, in a 13–3 blowout loss to the Miami Marlins, Butera pitched a scoreless 9th inning, with his fastball reaching the mid-90s on the radar gun.{{cite web|last=Jaffe|first=Jay|title=Backup catcher Drew Butera impresses on the mound for Dodgers|date=May 15, 2014 |url=http://mlb.si.com/2014/05/15/backup-catcher-drew-butera-impresses-on-the-mound-for-dodgers/|access-date=May 17, 2014}} On May 25, 2014, Butera caught Josh Beckett's no-hitter, becoming only the fifth catcher to catch a no-hitter the American League and Natioanl League.{{cite news|last1=Hernandez|first1=Dylan|title=Josh Beckett's no-hitter is the second that Drew Butera has caught|url=http://www.latimes.com/sports/dodgers/dodgersnow/la-sp-dn-drew-butera-two-no-hitters-20140525-story.html|access-date=December 10, 2014|work=Los Angeles Times|date=May 26, 2014}} He was the Dodgers' backup catcher all season and hit .188/.267/.288 in 192 plate appearances in 61 games, with three home runs and 14 RBIs. The Dodgers designated him for assignment on December 5.{{cite news|last1=Gleeman|first1=Aaron|title=Dodgers claim Ryan Lavarnway off waivers from Red Sox, drop Drew Butera|url=http://hardballtalk.nbcsports.com/2014/12/05/dodgers-claim-ryan-lavarnway-off-waivers-from-red-sox-drop-drew-butera/|work=NBC Sports|access-date=December 10, 2014|date=December 5, 2014}}

=Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim=

On December 9, 2014 the Dodgers traded Butera to the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim for a player to be named later or cash considerations.{{cite news|last1=Gleeman|first1=Aaron|title=Angels acquire Drew Butera from Dodgers|url=http://hardballtalk.nbcsports.com/2014/12/09/angels-acquire-drew-butera-from-dodgers/|work=NBC Sports|access-date=December 10, 2014|date=December 9, 2014}}{{cite news|title=LA Angels get catcher Drew Butera from LA Dodgers|url=https://www.espn.com/espn/wire?section=mlb&id=12005423|access-date=December 10, 2014|agency=Associated Press|work=ESPN|date=December 9, 2014}} The Angels sent minor leaguer Matt Long to the Dodgers on December 18 to complete the trade.{{cite web|url=http://m.dodgers.mlb.com/news/article/104408806/minor-league-deals-bring-catcher-shawn-zarraga-to-dodgers|title=Minors deals bring catcher Zarraga to Dodgers|first=Ken|last=Gurnick|date=December 18, 2014|access-date=December 18, 2014|work=MLB.com|archive-date=December 19, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141219010943/http://m.dodgers.mlb.com/news/article/104408806/minor-league-deals-bring-catcher-shawn-zarraga-to-dodgers|url-status=dead}} Butera batted 4-for-21 for the Angels to start the 2015 season.{{Cite web|url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/players/b/buterdr01.shtml|title=Drew Butera Stats|website=Baseball-Reference.com}} On May 4, Butera was designated for assignment.{{cite web|url=http://m.angels.mlb.com/news/article/122304510/angels-call-up-catcher-carlos-perez-designate-drew-butera|title=Halos call up catcher Perez, designate Butera|last=Fordin|first=Spencer|work=MLB.com|date=May 4, 2015|access-date=May 4, 2015|archive-date=May 5, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150505073707/http://m.angels.mlb.com/news/article/122304510/angels-call-up-catcher-carlos-perez-designate-drew-butera|url-status=dead}}

=Kansas City Royals=

Butera was traded on May 7, 2015, to the Kansas City Royals in exchange for Ryan Jackson.{{cite web|url=http://fantasynews.cbssports.com/fantasybaseball/update/25177370/angels-swap-c-drew-butera-to-tigers-for-inf-ryan-jackson|title=Angels swap C Drew Butera to Royals for INF Ryan Jackson|first=Marty|last=Gitlan|work=CBS Sports|date=May 7, 2015|access-date=May 7, 2015|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150518075609/http://fantasynews.cbssports.com/fantasybaseball/update/25177370/angels-swap-c-drew-butera-to-tigers-for-inf-ryan-jackson|archive-date=May 18, 2015}}{{cite news|last1=Gonzalez|first1=Alden|title=Angels get INF Jackson from KC for Butera|url=http://m.angels.mlb.com/news/article/122965538/angels-get-minor-league-infielder-ryan-jackson-from-royals-for-drew-butera|access-date=September 20, 2015|work=MLB.com|date=May 7, 2015|archive-date=May 9, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150509223831/http://m.angels.mlb.com/news/article/122965538/angels-get-minor-league-infielder-ryan-jackson-from-royals-for-drew-butera|url-status=dead}}

Butera spent the latter part of the 2015 campaign as the backup for All-Star catcher Salvador Pérez. In 2015 for the Royals, he batted .198/.266/.267 with one home run and five RBIs in 99 plate appearances. Butera played a role in the 8th-inning comeback in Game 4 of the 2015 ALDS against the Houston Astros, with the Royals down two games to one and facing elimination. Butera entered the game after Perez was lifted for a pinch-runner. Beginning the 8th inning down 6–2, the game was tied at 6 when Butera came to the plate. He drew a 10-pitch walk with one out to load the bases, enabling the following batter, Alex Gordon, to hit an RBI grounder to drive in the game-winning run.{{Cite web |title=2015 American League Division Series (ALDS) Game 4, Kansas City Royals vs Houston Astros: October 12, 2015 |url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/boxes/HOU/HOU201510120.shtml |access-date=2024-12-12 |website=Baseball-Reference.com |language=en}} In the deciding Game 5 of the 2015 World Series, Perez hit a single in the top of the 12th inning and was replaced by pinch runner Jarrod Dyson, who came around to score the game-winning run. Butera then entered as a defensive replacement in the bottom of the 12th inning and caught the season-ending strikeout from closer Wade Davis to clinch the Royals' championship.{{Cite web |title=2015 World Series Game 5, Kansas City Royals vs New York Mets: November 1, 2015 |url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/boxes/NYN/NYN201511010.shtml |access-date=2024-12-12 |website=Baseball-Reference.com |language=en}}

In 2016, Butera pitched in two games, both blowout losses. On June 25, Butera pitched in the 9th inning, facing four batters, striking out one, and giving up no runs in a 13–5 loss to the Astros.{{cite web|last1=Grathoff|first1=Pete|title=Royals catcher Drew Butera pitched on Saturday night and fans loved it|url=http://www.kansascity.com/sports/spt-columns-blogs/for-petes-sake/article86049842.html|publisher=Kansas City Star|access-date=July 28, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160728002118/http://www.kansascity.com/sports/spt-columns-blogs/for-petes-sake/article86049842.html|archive-date=July 28, 2016 }}{{cite web|title=Astros vs. Royals {{!}} 06/25/16|url=https://www.mlb.com/gameday/astros-vs-royals/2016/06/25/447979|website=Major League Baseball|access-date=July 28, 2016}} On July 26, Butera pitched the final out of the top of the 9th inning, facing only Johnny Giavotella who grounded out in a 13–0 loss to the Angels.{{cite web|title=Angels vs. Royals {{!}} 07/26/16|url=https://www.mlb.com/gameday/angels-vs-royals/2016/07/26/448361/|website=Major League Baseball|access-date=July 28, 2016}}{{cite web|last1=Grathoff|first1=Pete|title=This time, Drew Butera's pitching performance is met with sarcasm from fans|url=http://www.kansascity.com/sports/spt-columns-blogs/for-petes-sake/article92085707.html|publisher=Kansas City Star|access-date=July 28, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160728001835/http://www.kansascity.com/sports/spt-columns-blogs/for-petes-sake/article92085707.html|archive-date=July 28, 2016|url-status=dead}} In 2016 with the Royals, Butera batted .285/.328/.480 with 4 home runs and 16 RBIs in 133 plate appearances. He had the second strongest throwing arm among MLB catchers, trailing only Christian Bethancourt.{{Cite web |year=2016 |title=Statcast Catcher Pop Time Leaderboard |url=https://baseballsavant.mlb.com/leaderboard/poptime?year=2016&team=&min2b=10&min3b=1&sort=3&sortDir=asc |website=baseballsavant.com}}

In 2017 for the Royals, he batted .227/.284/.319 with 3 home runs and 14 RBIs in 177 plate appearances. In the first five months of the 2018 season, he batted .188/.259/.289 with 2 home runs and 18 RBIs in 166 plate appearances for the Royals.

=Colorado Rockies=

On August 31, 2018, Butera was traded to the Colorado Rockies in exchange for pitcher Jerry Vasto.{{Cite news|url=https://mlb.nbcsports.com/2018/08/31/royals-trade-drew-butera-to-the-rockies/|title=Royals trade Drew Butera to the Rockies|date=August 31, 2018|work=HardballTalk|access-date=August 31, 2018|language=en-US|archive-date=August 31, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180831211902/https://mlb.nbcsports.com/2018/08/31/royals-trade-drew-butera-to-the-rockies/|url-status=dead}} Butera hit 3-for-14 for the Rockies in September 2018. He was a defensive substitute in the Wild Card Game, drawing one walk in three plate appearances and committing catcher interference during a Tommy La Stella plate appearance.{{Cite web |title=2018 National League Wild Card (NLWC) Game 1, Colorado Rockies vs Chicago Cubs: October 2, 2018 |url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/boxes/CHN/CHN201810020.shtml |access-date=2024-12-12 |website=Baseball-Reference.com |language=en}}

Butera elected free agency on October 29, 2018.{{Cite web |title=Drew Butera Stats, Age, Position, Height, Weight, Fantasy & News |url=https://www.mlb.com/player/drew-butera-460077 |access-date=2024-12-12 |website=MLB.com |language=en}}

=Philadelphia Phillies=

On February 5, 2019, Butera signed a minor league contract with the Philadelphia Phillies with an invitation to spring training.{{cite web|url=https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2019/02/phillies-sign-drew-butera.html|title=Phillies Sign Drew Butera|last=Todd|first=Jeff|work=mlbtraderumors.com|date=February 5, 2019|access-date=February 5, 2019}} If added to the team's 40-man roster, he would have received $1.3 million while in the majors and $210,000 while in the minors.{{Cite web |date=February 5, 2019 |title=Phillies sign vet Butera to minor league deal |url=https://www.espn.com/mlb/story/_/id/25933176/philadelphia-phillies-sign-veteran-catcher-drew-butera |website=ESPN.com}} The contract allowed Butera to opt out by March 21.{{Cite web|url=https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2019/02/phillies-sign-drew-butera.html|title=Phillies Sign Drew Butera|website=MLB Trade Rumors|date=February 5, 2019 }} Butera later exercised this opt-out clause, granting him his release.{{cite web|url=https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2019/03/phillies-release-drew-butera-andrew-romine.html|title=Phillies Release Drew Butera, Andrew Romine|last=Todd|first=Jeff|work=mlbtraderumors.com|date=March 21, 2019|access-date=March 23, 2019}}

File:Drew Butera 2019 (cropped).jpg in 2019]]

=Colorado Rockies (second stint)=

On March 25, 2019, Butera signed a minor league contract with the Rockies.{{cite web|url=https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2019/03/rockies-sign-drew-butera.html|title=Rockies Sign Drew Butera|last=Todd|first=Jeff|work=mlbtraderumors.com|date=March 25, 2019|access-date=March 25, 2019}} Butera had his contract selected on April 15. Butera was designated for assignment on May 3 and outrighted on May 7.{{Cite web|url=https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2019/05/minor-mlb-transactions-rockies-drew-butera-outright-alen-hanson-blue-jays.html|title=Outrighted: Butera, Hanson|website=MLB Trade Rumors|date=May 7, 2019 }} On September 3, the Rockies selected his contract to the active roster.{{Cite web|url=https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2019/09/rockies-select-drew-butera-dfa-noel-cuevas.html|title=Rockies Select Drew Butera, Designate Noel Cuevas|website=MLB Trade Rumors|date=September 3, 2019 }} In 2019 with Colorado, Butera batted .163/.229/.233 with no homers and 3 RBI. He became a free agent after the season but re-signed with the Rockies on another minor league contract on December 18.{{Cite web |date=December 12, 2019 |title=Rockies Sign Drew Butera To Minors Contract |url=https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2019/12/rockies-sign-drew-butera-to-minors-contract.html |website=MLB Trade Rumors}}

Butera had his contract selected to the Rockies roster on July 22, 2020, before the start of the shortened 2020 season.{{Cite web|url=https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2020/07/rockies-to-select-elias-diaz.html|title=Rockies To Select Elias Diaz, Drew Butera|website=MLB Trade Rumors|date=July 22, 2020 }} In 2020 with the Rockies, Butera slashed .154/.190/.205 with no home runs and 4 RBI. He was frequently a defensive replacement, coming to bat only 43 times in 28 games.{{Cite web |title=Drew Butera 2020 Batting Game Logs |url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/players/gl.fcgi?id=buterdr01&t=b&year=2020 |access-date=2024-12-12 |website=Baseball-Reference.com |language=en}} He became a free agent after the season.

=Texas Rangers=

On January 12, 2021, Butera signed a minor league contract with the Texas Rangers organization.{{Cite web|url=https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2021/01/rangers-sign-drew-butera-to-minors-contract.html|title=Rangers Sign Drew Butera To Minors Contract|website=MLB Trade Rumors|date=January 12, 2021 }} On March 27, 2021, Butera was released, but re-signed with the Rangers on a new minor league contract the same day.{{Cite web|url=https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2021/03/minor-mlb-transactions-32721.html|title=Minor MLB Transactions: 3/27/21|website=MLB Trade Rumors|date=March 27, 2021 }}

=Los Angeles Angels (second stint)=

On May 7, 2021, Butera was traded to the Los Angeles Angels in exchange for cash considerations and was selected to the 40-man roster.{{Cite web|url=https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2021/05/angels-acquire-drew-butera-from-rangers-for-cash-considerations.html|title=Angels Acquire Drew Butera From Rangers For Cash Considerations|website=MLB Trade Rumors|date=May 7, 2021 }} After hitting .094 in 12 games, Butera was designated for assignment by the Angels.{{Cite web|url=https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2021/05/angels-select-kean-wong-designate-drew-butera.html|title=Angels Select Kean Wong, Designate Drew Butera|website=MLB Trade Rumors|date=May 29, 2021 }} He was outrighted to the Triple-A Salt Lake Bees on June 1.{{Cite web|url=https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2021/06/angels-activate-max-stassi-option-jose-quijada.html|title=Angels Activate Max Stassi, Option Jose Quijada|website=MLB Trade Rumors|date=June 2021 }} On August 31, Butera was released by the Angels.

=Houston Astros=

On August 31, 2021, Butera signed a minor league contract with the Houston Astros organization.{{Cite web|url=https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2021/08/astros-sign-drew-butera.html|title=Astros Sign Drew Butera|date=August 31, 2021|accessdate=August 31, 2021}} He was assigned to the Sugar Land Skeeters, where he played the final 15 games of his professional career. He elected free agency on November 7.

International career

Butera played for the Italian national baseball team in the 2013 World Baseball Classic (WBC) and 2017 WBC.{{Cite web |last=Worthy |first=Lynn |date=December 8, 2022 |title=KC Royals could have large chunk of their lineup playing in World Baseball Classic |url=https://www.kansascity.com/sports/mlb/kansas-city-royals/article269705416.html |website=KansasCity.com}} His grandmother was born in Italy.{{Cite AV media |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Md68LCSzHsQ |title=WBC Behind the Scenes: KC Royals Drew Butera, Italian national team |date=2017-02-27 |last= |type=Television production |publisher=Major League Baseball |access-date=2024-12-12 |via=YouTube}} His father Sal was a coach for the Italian team in 2017.{{Cite web |title=2017 Italy World Baseball Classic Roster |url=https://www.mlb.com/world-baseball-classic/history/2017/italy |access-date=2024-12-12 |website=MLB.com |language=en}}

Butera was 3-for-16 with a home run and double in the 2013 WBC.{{Cite web |title=World Baseball Classic Stats: Italy 2013 |url=https://www.mlb.com/world-baseball-classic/stats/italy/2013 |access-date=2024-12-12 |website=MLB.com |language=en}} He hit two solo home runs four games in the 2017 tournament, tied for the 8th most home runs in the tournament.{{Cite web |year=2017 |title=World Baseball Classic Stats 2017 |url=https://www.mlb.com/world-baseball-classic/stats/wbc/2017 |access-date=2024-12-12 |website=MLB.com |language=en}}

Coaching career

On April 5, 2022, Butera retired from professional baseball and joined the Los Angeles Angels as the team's bullpen coach.{{Cite web|url=https://www.cbssports.com/fantasy/baseball/news/drew-butera-moves-to-coaching-ranks/|title=Drew Butera: Moves to coaching ranks|date=April 6, 2022 }}

On November 7, 2023, the Chicago White Sox announced Butera as the team's catching coach.{{Cite web |last=Merkin |first=Scott |date=November 7, 2023 |title=White Sox add 5 new coaches to Grifol's staff |url=https://www.mlb.com/news/white-sox-announce-2024-mlb-coaching-staff |access-date=2024-06-27 |website=MLB.com}} He remained with the White Sox headed into 2025 after the club's historically poor record and change in managers.{{Cite web |date=2024-12-09 |title=White Sox announce MLB coaching staff under first-year manager Will Venable |url=https://sports.yahoo.com/white-sox-announce-mlb-coaching-212425916.html |access-date=2024-12-12 |website=Yahoo Sports |language=en-US}}