Just five days after fracturing his left pinkie to in a hotel room incident, New York Mets reliever Seth Lugo is back to throwing off a mound. That means he can return to his normal routine and can prepare for the season with no restrictions.
The week didn’t start on the right foot, if you will, for the star reliever. He banged his pinkie with an ottoman and tests revealed a small fracture. The Mets’ righty only missed a couple of days, though: he was throwing long toss on Friday and today, he returned to the mound.
Lugo threw a successful bullpen session at the New York Mets’ camp this morning. The Monday incident is now officially in the rearview mirror.
As far as running goes, the injury may limit Lugo somewhat for a few days, maybe a couple of weeks. However, he should be more than ready for Opening Day.
The Mets have a formidable bullpen
The Mets are expected to let Edwin Diaz regain his closer role after his nightmarish 2019 season. However, Lugo will be, once again, the most important reliever in the roster.
He will return to setup duties and form a very good group of relievers. The Mets currently have Diaz, Lugo, Robert Gsellman, Brad Brach, free agent signing Dellin Betances, Justin Wilson, and whoever loses the battle for a rotation spot between Steven Matz, Michael Wacha and Rick Porcello.
Lugo is a career 3.27 ERA pitcher in 346.2 innings, with a 8.75 K/9 and a 2.34 BB/9. Last season was among the finest of his major league tenure with the Mets: his ERA was 2.70 (he had the same FIP) he struck out 11.70 batters per each nine innings and handed out 1.80 BB/9.
A healthy Seth Lugo will make sure that the New York Mets have a competitive and deep bullpen to navigate through the tough NL East.