LOS ANGELES — Seth Lugo’s desire to become a starting pitcher remains offset by his success in the Mets bullpen.
The right-hander entered Tuesday tied for sixth in the NL with 68 relief innings this season, a testament to manager Mickey Callaway’s faith in his ability. Lugo entered 3-3 with a 2.77 ERA, as the primary setup option for Robert Gsellman.
“I know deep down inside he still wants to be a starter, which we totally respect that because he could be a very good starter,” Callaway said before the Mets’ 11-4 loss to the the Dodgers.
“For us to have the best chance to win in the future, it might be out of the bullpen for now, but we’ll never rule out the possibility of him in the rotation at some point.”
Lugo began the season in the rotation but was bumped to the bullpen before his first start. He was later inserted into the rotation with Noah Syndergaard on the disabled list, and made five starts.
But Lugo’s ability to escape trouble from the bullpen most endears him to Callaway.
“He is armed with multiple pitches and he is throwing at a very high velocity with pretty good deception,” Callaway said.
“He is able to pitch up in the zone and get [a] swing and miss. He is able to pitch underneath the zone with his curve and changeup and get [a] swing and miss so he is kind of armed with all the weapons you need to attack righties and lefties, and that is one of the reasons we put him in the bullpen.”
Anthony Swarzak is expected to join the Mets on the next homestand, likely completing the team’s September additions until David Wright’s status is resolved. Swarzak has been sidelined for the past month with right shoulder inflammation. He pitched an inning for Single-A Brooklyn on Monday in a rehab assignment.
Wright took grounders and batting practice at Dodger Stadium and will likely begin playing in simulated games when the Mets return to Citi Field on Friday. The Mets captain completed a minor league rehab assignment with the club last week.
Devin Mesoraco, who underwent testing on his stiff neck and back, is unlikely to play within the next few days, according to Callaway. With expanded rosters there is no need to place Mesoraco on the disabled list as the Mets have Kevin Plawecki and Tomas Nido to handle the catching duties. Mesoraco left Monday’s game with discomfort.