Heading into the final weekend, the Mets had indicated Justin Wilson was going to be shut down for the final weekend due to his elbow issues. The team also indicated Seth Lugo was available to pitch, but he was not going to go past one inning.
Naturally, Lugo would pitch two innings to earn his sixth save of the year. In earning the save, Lugo would throw 41 pitches. That’s the most pitches he’s thrown since June 23, and it’s the fourth time he’s hit the 40 pitch mark this year.
When asked about using Lugo for two innings tonight, Mickey Callaway said, “He did what he’s done all year for us.”
Callaway also indicated Lugo was aware the plan was to use him for two before he entered the game, was on board with the decision, and that was part of the Mets trying to win every game. He also indicated Lugo felt great, and there was no risk in using him for two innings.
It should be noted, Callaway said Lugo “is probably not going to pitch again.”
If this is truly the end, Lugo ends a truly terrific year in the bullpen. He made 61 appearances pitching 80 innings. He was 7-4 with six saves, a 2.70 ERA, 0.90 WHIP, and an 11.7 K/9.
While the decision to push him tonight may be questionable, it should be noted Callaway was rather judicious in his use of Lugo this year.
Entering the year, Lugo was targeted for 100 innings, and he’d fall short of that even with Robert Gsellman, also ticketed for 100 innings, landing on the IL on August 12. The 80 innings were also 21.1 fewer innings than he pitched last year and only two more innings than he pitched in the bullpen last year.
With him being shut down for the rest of the year, the question now is what Lugo’s role will be next year. Lugo wants to start, and the Mets may have as many as two rotation spots open up. That said, it’s hard to remove a weapon like him from a bullpen which already needs to be retooled next year.
