The New York Mets received some bad injury-related news this weekend, as they are set to lose one of their best relievers for a considerable period of time.
The Mets revealed on Saturday morning that right-handed relief pitcher Seth Lugo is set to undergo surgery on Tuesday, as doctors will remove a bone spur from his pitching elbow.
According to the team, Lugo, 31, will be on the shelf for at least six weeks, and then he will start a throwing program. The news means that Lugo is set to miss the start of the 2021 season, as he won’t be ready in time.
According to NBA Sports Edge, the Mets’ pitcher had the bone spur break off at some point during his regular offseason throwing program and informed the team after he was unable to get the inflammation to subside.
The Mets had Lugo bounce between the starting rotation and the bullpen in an ugly 2020 season that saw the overall organizational pitching depth evaporate due to injuries, bad performances, and opt outs.
The Mets’ premier reliever will be out for six weeks
Lugo pitched 16 games for the Mets in 2020, with seven starts. In 36.2 innings, he had a 5.15 ERA and a 4.45 FIP, with a very good 29.4 K% and a 6.3 BB%.
With the New York Mets’ additions to the rotation, namely Carlos Carrasco, Marcus Stroman, and Joey Lucchesi, the expectation was that Lugo returned to the bullpen, where he has a career 2.53 ERA in 188.2 innings.
However, this development changes the equation and may result in the Mets being more aggressive in the free agent market as they look to bolster their bullpen. Pitchers like Trevor Rosenthal and Justin Wilson, just to name a couple, are free to sign with any team.
The Mets are also monitoring the trade market, as they are in conversations to bring Chicago Cubs’ third baseman Kris Bryant.