Mets injury update: Seth Lugo to begin throwing program

Seth Lugo will begin a throwing program on Tuesday, according to Matt Ehalt, who notes that the pitcher will start throwing from 60 feet. Lugo was expected to be a big factor for the Mets’ pitching staff in 2017, but a partial tear of the UCL in his right elbow—the ligament that is reconstructed during dreaded Tommy John surgery—was identified on the eve of the season.

That put his availability on hold, if not completely in doubt, for 2017. Lugo opted to attempt to rehab the injury rather than go under the knife, which would have ended his 2017 season and, in all likelihood, limited his 2018 availability, too.

There is no current timetable for Lugo’s return to the mound, let alone his return to the major league roster, although it’s probably a fair bet that even without setbacks Lugo is as at least several weeks away. In his absence, the Mets have been forced to hand bullpen innings to lower-tier middle-relief options like Rafael Montero and Josh Edgin, who have not inspired much confidence in the early going, while Jeurys Familia has been suspended.