Joey Lucchesi has significant UCL tear, could be facing Tommy John surgery

After being placed on the injured list with elbow inflammation, Joey Lucchesi underwent an MRI that revealed a significant tear of his UCL, according to Steve Gelbs on the SNY broadcast of the second game of the Mets’ doubleheader this evening. Gelbs noted that Lucchesi could be facing Tommy John surgery as a result.

Acquired in a trade over the offseason, Lucchesi was one of the Mets’ legitimate major league depth options for the starting rotation. Pressed into service early in the season with Carlos Carrasco and Noah Syndergaard both on the injured list, he got off to a very rough start and had a 9.32 ERA through his first 15.2 innings of work.

Since then, however, Lucchesi was much better, spinning 22.2 innings with a 1.19 ERA and 24 strikeouts to just 6 walks. In total, he has a 4.46 ERA on the season, a number that is unlikely to change given the status of his pitching elbow.