Signed by the Minnesota Twins as an amateur free agent in 1972, Butera made his major league debut in an extra innings game against the Oakland Athletics on April 10, 1980.

[1] Butera remained with the Twins as Butch Wynegar's back-up until Spring training 1983 when he was dealt to the Detroit Tigers.

Injuries limited Butera to only four games with the Tigers, with most of his season being spent with their Triple-A affiliate, the Evansville Triplets.

After the 1985 season, he was dealt to the Cincinnati Reds with Bill Gullickson for Dann Bilardello, Andy McGaffigan, John Stuper and Jay Tibbs.

Butera was inducted into the Suffolk Sports Hall of Fame on Long Island in the Baseball Category with the Class of 2002.