Mets to place Seth Lugo on disabled list, Rafael Montero on Opening Day roster

Feb 28, 2017; Jupiter, FL, USA; New York Mets starting pitcher Seth Lugo (67) throws against the Miami Marlins during a spring training game at Roger Dean Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Steve Mitchell-USA TODAY Sports
Feb 28, 2017; Jupiter, FL, USA; New York Mets starting pitcher Seth Lugo (67) throws against the Miami Marlins during a spring training game at Roger Dean Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Steve Mitchell-USA TODAY Sports

After calling the World Baseball Classic, one of the best experiences of his life, Seth Lugo may be paying the price for a heavy workload early on.

The Mets will reportedly be placing right-hander Seth Lugo on the disabled list to start the year, Newsday’s Marc Carig has learned. The move comes after the team had Lugo undergo an MRI on his right arm earlier. The tests came back clean, and thankfully, revealed no structural damage.

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Manager Terry Collins said earlier in the week that Lugo had been experiencing fatigue from a heavier than expected workload early on in the spring. Lugo was a huge part of Puerto Rico’s run in the World Baseball Classic in March that saw the team make it to the Championship game.

Lugo actually started that final game against the USA and was hit around harder than he had been in previous outings, so it makes sense that the amount of innings he threw caught up to him late in the spring.

Lugo had been scheduled to throw on Sunday, but that has now been scratched after the team determined his arm needed more rest.

The decision to place Lugo on the DL also makes the Mets final roster decision clear. They’ll be taking Rafael Montero as their long man in the bullpen to start the season.

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Montero has been extremely impressive this spring. He pitched in 20 1/3 innings overall, and posted a sweet 1.77 ERA. His command — which has unfortunately been his biggest issue over the past couple of season — did make his walk total higher than we would like at 8 walks, but he did manage to keep most of those that reached base from scoring at all as he only allowed 4 ER. His strikeout rate was also better than one per inning (23 total), so he can definitely add some depth in case it’s needed at the start of this young season.

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