New York Mets starting pitcher Seth Lugo threw five innings in a minor league game today in preparation for his spot in the team’s rotation.
In those five innings, the 28-year-old gave up six hits and one earned run, while allowing just one walk and striking out seven. In total, he threw 73 pitches, 52 of which were strikes.
Lugo earned a spot in the Opening Day rotation with his outstanding Grapefruit League showing this spring. Over 15.2 innings, he had a 2.87 earned-run average with 17 strikeouts and just three walks.
“I feel like I put in a lot of hard work this spring. It’s nice to see it pay off,” Lugo said. “In baseball there really aren’t surprises, it’s pretty hectic every day. Didn’t necessarily have too many expectations, just go out and do my thing.”
Mets’ manager Mickey Callaway was left with a decision to make regarding the back-end of his starting five after Zack Wheeler pitched himself out of a roster spot and Jason Vargas broke the hamate bone in his right, non-throwing hand. Lugo made that decision easier to make with his strong showing this preseason.
After a fantastic spring and a clean tune-up outing in PSL today, Seth Lugo is heading into the season with a head full of steam. His first regular-season start will be on April 3 at home versus the Philadelphia Phillies.
With Wheeler’s uninspiring spring and the unfortunate injury to Vargas, it was great seeing Lugo step up this spring, use his curveball more and be able to finish guys off.
It’s been a career of resiliency for the right-hander, who has gone through spinal fusion surgery and has sustained a partially torn UCL in his professional career this far.
On top of that, it’s fantastic to know that despite the injury to Vargas and Wheeler struggling, the Mets have a strong arm to round out the rotation.
It was great seeing the five starters the Mets broke camp with have a solid spring and we are pumped to see that translate into the regular season!
