Seth Lugo will miss at least “a couple weeks”

Righty Seth Lugo was placed on the 10-day disabled list on Sunday with right elbow inflammation, but his prognosis remains unclear. He was originally diagnosed with arm fatigue, which Lugo himself described as “just a little soreness” that wouldn’t last more than a “couple days.”

Marc Carig from Newsday now reports that Lugo has a “slight UCL tear” in his pitching elbow and that he received a PRP injection. No surgery is planned, and all parties are hopeful that some rest—and the injection—will help forestall more serious problems.

After undergoing an MRI over the weekend that was said to have shown no structural damage, a team source now suggests that there was in fact a “serious problem” found. Lugo is reportedly seeking a second opinion, and in his post-game press conference manager Terry Collins said, "He's going to miss some time with his elbow" on the order of “a couple weeks.”

Lugo, who impressed the Mets with a 2.67 ERA in 64 innings last season, shouldered a heavy workload this spring, pitching for Team Puerto Rico in the World Baseball Classic and then with the Mets in camp. As Opening Day drew near, he was seemingly competing with Rafael Montero for the last pitching spot on the 25-man roster.

At this point we know very little of substance about his injury. Lugo thought he would be fine, different sources are reporting varying MRI results, and Lugo is looking for another opinion. That last part is perhaps the most concerning, as one typically seeks a second opinion when the first opinion expresses something undesirable.

The Mets said they expect to provide an update on Lugo’s status on Wednesday.