As of Saturday morning, the New York Mets could probably field an entire team of players currently on the injured list. Their injury crisis is almost unprecedented, yet they have been able to maintain the top spot in the National League East division with a 21-17 record.
One of the Mets’ players that hasn’t even been able to make his season debut is Seth Lugo, who went down with an elbow injury during spring training. One of the most reliable relievers in the history of the franchise, Lugo won’t appear in official MLB games before June, but he is in the final stages of his recovery and will, barring setbacks, be ready for when it’s time for him to get off the 60-man injured list.
Lugo appeared in two rehab games this week, one on Tuesday with St. Lucie, and another one on Friday with Triple-A Syracuse, according to SNY. Yesterday, he tossed a scoreless seventh frame with one strikeout and a walk. He went out for the eighth, but walked the leadoff man and was pulled at that point.
The Mets’ right-hander threw 25 pitches. His next outing will likely come on Sunday, per Syracuse manager Chad Kreuter.
The Mets want JD Davis to play first base
On the other hand, Mets’ third baseman J.D. Davis, who has been out over a week with a sprained finger, may be preparing to play some first base upon his arrival.
He played first base for Syracuse on Friday night, and Kreuter said that the team wants to see if he can handle the position given that Pete Alonso is currently on the injured list.
Davis should be back with the Mets next week, and his return will be a welcomed development for a team that has been without Jeff McNeil, Alonso, and other stars in the past few days.