Seth Lugo's Elbow Injury Diagnosed as Partial UCL Tear, Re-Evaluated in 2 Weeks

The New York Mets could be without Seth Lugo for a significant period of time after his elbow injury was diagnosed as a partial tear in his ulnar collateral ligament.

The team announced the news Tuesday.         

Lugo appeared in 17 games and made eight starts last season. He finished with a 2.67 ERA and 1.09 WHIP in 64 innings, but Anthony DiComo of MLB.com noted he led all Mets pitchers during the spring with 26.1 innings in spring training and the World Baseball Classic.

DiComo said Lugo underwent an MRI after he complained of a tired arm and was "headed to a season-opening stint on the disabled list."

The Mets, who beat the Atlanta Braves 6-0 on Monday in their first game of the season, still boast a formidable starting rotation that includes Noah Syndergaard, Jacob deGrom, Matt Harvey and Zack Wheeler and a talented bullpen that features Jeurys Familia.

However, DiComo reported Syndergaard left Monday's game with a blister, and Kristie Ackert of the New York Daily News noted Steven Matz was diagnosed with a strained flexor tendon and doesn't have a specific timeline for return.

Matz and Harvey dealt with significant injury problems last season, and Lugo's elbow is another setback to the staff early this year.