Lugo has a 1.46 ERA through 12.1 innings (four starts) this spring in the Cactus League.

EDGE Analysis

Lugo is going to get a chance to operate as a normal-functioning starter this season in San Diego, and he would seem to have the goods to deliver meaningful fantasy production in that role. The 33-year-old right-hander worked exclusively in relief over his final two seasons with the Mets and posted a combined 3.56 ERA with 124 strikeouts across 111.1 innings.

Lugo is expected to open the season as part of the Padres' six-man rotation, AJ Cassavell of MLB.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

Lugo signed with the Padres with the intent of joining the rotation and that evidently won't change even after the club added Michael Wacha. The former Met hasn't started a game since 2020 and hasn't been a full-time starter since 2017, so it makes sense to ease him into things as part of a six-man rotation. Nick Martinez -- who made 37 relief appearances and 10 starts last season -- will also open 2023 in the rotation. The Padres could eventually go back to a traditional five-man setup, but initially each starter will get extra rest in between outings.

Lugo agreed to a one-year, $7.5 million deal with the Padres on Monday, Joel Sherman of the New York Post reports.

EDGE Analysis

Lugo's deal includes a $7.5 million player option for 2024 and also contains incentives for starting and relieving, Fabian Ardaya of The Athletic reports. Heading into spring, the Padres are expected to have Lugo build up as a starter, but it's easy to imagine him shifting to the bullpen at some point like Nick Martinez did in 2022. While working exclusively in relief for the Mets a season ago, Lugo posted a 3.60 ERA, 1.17 WHIP and 69:18 K:BB in 65 innings.Having not started games since 2020, the righty figures to be on somewhat of an innings limit early in 2023 if he becomes a fixture in the San Diego rotation.

Lugo struck out three and allowed one hit over 1.2 scoreless innings to pick up the win Wednesday in the Mets' 3-2 victory over the Yankees.

EDGE Analysis

Lugo has seen his effectiveness diminish since he was a dominant late-inning reliever for the Mets in 2019, but the right-hander looked as sharp Wednesday as he had been at any point this season. After recording five crucial outs to keep the score tied heading into the bottom of the ninth, Lugo was rewarded with the win when Starling Marte walked off the Yankees with an RBI single.

Lugo (1-2) took the loss Tuesday as the Mets fell 1-0 to the Reds, giving up one run on one hit and two walks in one-third of an inning.

EDGE Analysis

The right-hander entered a scoreless tie in the ninth inning but couldn't find the plate, tossing only eight of 17 pitches for strikes before Mike Moustakas launched a bases loaded sacrifice fly to end things. Lugo was pitching on the second consecutive day with Edwin Diaz being held back for a potential save situation on the road, and that's a situation Mets manager Buck Showalter may want to avoid in the future -- Lugo has made appearances on back-to-back days five times this season, and in the second game of those sets he's coughed up five runs in 4.1 innings.

Lugo gave up a hit in a scoreless ninth inning Monday to record his third save of the season in a 7-4 win over the Reds.

EDGE Analysis

Edwin Diaz had pitched the day before and on two of the last three days, so manager Buck Showalter elected to give his closer a breather and let Lugo wrap things up instead. The 32-year-old Lugo has been scored upon only twice in his last 14 appearances dating back to May 21, posting a 2.20 ERA, 0.86 WHIP and 15:2 K:BB over 16.1 innings during that stretch with a win, a save and five holds.

Lugo was reinstated from the paternity list Thursday, Tim Healey of Newsday reports.

EDGE Analysis

Lugo has been away from the team since Monday for the birth of his child and was expected back in time for the team's weekend series against the Marlins. Now that he's officially back, Lugo should return to a setup role, working in front of Edwin Diaz. On the season, Lugo has maintained a 3.81 ERA, 1.20 WHIP and 27:7 K:BB across 28.1 innings.

Mets manager Buck Showalter said he expects Lugo (personal) to be activated from the paternity list prior to Friday's game in Miami, Mike Puma of the New York Post reports.

EDGE Analysis

After being placed on the list Monday, Lugo will be away from the team for a third straight game Wednesday in Houston while he spends time with his wife and newborn child. Since players on the paternity list can spend a maximum of three days away from their teams, Lugo will likely be formally activated Thursday, which is an off day for the Mets.

The Mets placed Lugo on the paternity list Monday.

EDGE Analysis

He'll be away from the Mets for their next 1-to-3 games while he observes the birth of his child. The time away could allow Lugo to get a chance to mentally reset after he was charged with two blown saves over his last five appearances out of the bullpen. The right-hander still maintains decent ratios for the season (3.81 ERA, 1.20 WHIP, 16.9 K-BB%), so he'll be locked into a key setup role in front of closer Edwin Diaz once he rejoins the Mets.

Lugo walked one and struck out one over 1.1 scoreless innings Sunday to record his 10th hold of the season in a win over the Angels.

EDGE Analysis

The right-hander hasn't been dominant this season, but he has been a fairly reliable bridge to closer Edwin Diaz. Lugo sports a 3.51 ERA, 1.17 WHIP and 23:6 K:BB through 25.2 innings, adding one win and two saves to his holds total through 25 appearances.