Kallet: Mets Might Have Something With Right-Hander Lugo
By Brad Kallet
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What a difference a few months make.
Before the season, the Mets' starting rotation was pegged by many as the best in baseball, if not one of the best of the last decade.
Slowly but surely, however, the staff began to deteriorate. Matt Harvey, after going 4-10 with a 4.86 ERA in 17 starts, underwent season-ending surgery in early July after being diagnosed with thoracic outlet syndrome. At around the same time, it was revealed that both Steven Matz and Noah Syndergaard were dealing with bone spurs in their respective pitching elbows. They've pitched effectively despite the pain -- Matz is 9-8 with a 3.40 ERA; Syndergaard is 11-7 with a 2.61 ERA -- but neither has quite lived up to expectations this season.
In a cruel twist of fate, Matz is now nursing a shoulder injury. He's on the disabled list, but the Mets are hoping that he'll be activated when he's eligible to return.
Up until last week, Jacob deGrom had been the only Mets starter living up to his billing as an ace. But he was absolutely dreadful in his last two starts against the Giants and Cardinals. In 9 2/3 innings this past week, the former All-Star surrendered 13 runs on 25 hits. There's no indication that he's ailing, but manager Terry Collins is considering giving him extra rest before his next start, which is concerning.
Zack Wheeler, coming off Tommy John surgery, was expected to return during the summer months. Well, fall is fast approaching, and the one-time top prospect is off the radar. He has suffered setback after setback, and there's no telling when we'll see him on a big-league mound again.
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In what felt like the blink of an eye, the Mets' starting rotation went from an immense strength to a glaring liability.
This week in St. Louis, the Mets had their most important series of the season. They entered play on Tuesday 4 1/2 games behind the Cardinals for the second wild-card berth in the National League. Sweep the series -- or at least take two of three -- and the Mets would be right back in the race, especially considering their favorable September schedule. Lose two of three, or get swept? Forget it. The season would essentially be over.
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So who was given the ball in this massively critical set? Not Harvey. Not Syndergaard. Not Matz. Not Wheeler. Not Bartolo Colon.
DeGrom took the mound in the second game -- he got shelled -- and was sandwiched between … wait for it … Jon Niese and Seth Lugo.
The Mets won the opener of the series, but it had nothing to do with brilliant pitching. Niese recorded just one out before being lifted, allowing three earned runs. Rookie Robert Gsellman, making his major league debut, bailed Niese out, throwing 3 2/3 scoreless innings and earned the win. Niese was placed on the disabled list after the game, and Collins announced that Gsellman will take his spot in the rotation.
After the Cardinals won on Wednesday night to increase their lead to 4 1/2 games, Lugo got the start in an unequivocal must-win game.
Lugo, 26, has a fascinating story. Most Mets fans, let alone baseball fans, probably never heard of him before this season. A 34th-round pick in 2011 out of Centenary College of Louisiana, the right-hander struggled in his final year of college and was not a highly-touted prospect in the Mets' organization. In 2012, his first full year of pro ball, Lugo needed spinal fusion surgery to repair spondylolisthesis. Bedridden for three months, it was unclear when -- or if -- he would ever pitch again.
Lugo recovered and returned to professional baseball in 2013, pitching his way through the Mets' system for the next two-and-a-half years. With injuries continuing to mount in Queens, he was recalled from Triple-A Las Vegas on June 30.
Lugo's first nine appearances were out of the bullpen and he did an admirable job, pitching to a 2.65 ERA in 22 innings. But last weekend, he was given a starting assignment in San Francisco. Lugo impressed in his first career outing, and his line -- 6 2/3 IP, 7 H, 3 ER, 1 BB, 3 SO -- didn't do him justice. The rookie left the game having allowed just one run, but reliever Jerry Blevins allowed two inherited runners to cross the plate.
Fast forward to Thursday night. Not only was this game of monumental significance, but the challenge was greater. Lugo had to navigate a Cardinals lineup that came into the game third in the NL in runs.
In his encore performance as a starter, Lugo rose to the occasion and delivered a masterpiece. The Louisiana native silenced St. Louis with five scoreless frames. He struck out five, walked three and allowed just two hits in the gem.
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The Mets won the series to end the road trip just 3 1/2 games behind the Cardinals, but, in true Mets fashion, Lugo left the game with an injury. Shortly after he departed, thankfully, it was revealed that he had just a right calf cramp. It shouldn't sideline him for long, if at all, but this year has been a painful reminder that injuries -- no matter how small they seem -- can never be taken lightly.
The victory was mammoth, but Lugo's continued development and progression cannot be overlooked. He obviously has much more to prove. Two starts and 11 overall appearances can only tell you so much (see Verrett, Logan), but the early returns are promising and encouraging.
One thing's for sure: when Lugo is able to pitch again, hopefully sooner rather than later, he must stay in the rotation. He's earned that much, and deserves to be out there every fifth day.
It's not like Collins has much of a choice, anyway.
Brad Kallet is the managing editor of TENNIS.com and a frequent contributor to WFAN.com. Follow him on Twitter @brad_kallet
