Team sources have told Marc Carig of Newsday, that the Mets plan to put RHP Seth Lugo on the disabled list to begin the season and that RHP Rafael Montero will make the Opening Day roster.
Manager Terry Collins told reporters on Friday that Lugo was dealing with arm fatigue during his last start which may have been due to the heavy workload of pitching deep in to the World Baseball Classic. He had an MRI today which showed no damage.
Initially, the plan was for Lugo to throw a bullpen session on Sunday before the Mets would make a final roster decision, but now it appears that they’ll let him rest his arm while giving Montero the last spot in the bullpen.
Montero, 26, had an incredible Spring Training for the Mets, posting a 1.77 ERA and 1.13 WHIP in 20.1 innings with 23 strikeouts in Grapefruit League play.
“He’s throwing the ball very well, but we haven’t finalized the roster,” Terry Collins said before today’s apparent decision. “He throws strikes. We always knew he had the command but he kind of pitched to the edge in the big leagues. Now he’s using the plate and his stuff is playing.”
If Montero can continue to perform as he has this spring, he’ll be one of the best feel good stories of the season.
