Seth Lugo transformed from Mets bullpen piece to Royals stud: ‘What I strived for’

Seth Lugo is in the postseason as a key piece of the Royals starting rotation, a long way from the Mets bullpen, where he spent the majority of his first seven seasons in the majors. 

He became a starter with the Padres after signing as a free agent a year ago and, after a successful season in San Diego, got another deal with Kansas City. 

“This is what I strived for,” Lugo said Friday at Yankee Stadium before the Royals worked out prior to Saturday’s Game 1 of the ALDS in The Bronx. “I put in all the work because this is what I wanted to be: To be able to throw 200 innings and now in the postseason. I put in the work, but didn’t know what was gonna happen. It’s been a fun ride.” 

The right-hander, who could start Game 3 against the Yankees in Kansas City, said he never had a chip on his shoulder about not sticking as a starter with the Mets. 

“Maybe the opposite,’’ Lugo said. “I had to figure out if I really wanted to pursue being a starter and put in the work.” 

Lugo understood the risk he was taking. 

“It was taking a step back to take two steps forward,’’ Lugo said of the move to going into a rotation. “It was about not knowing if I could do it. I knew I could be a reliever. And enough trainers and doctors tell me my arm can’t take being a starter, how many times does somebody tell you before you believe it yourself?” 

And he doesn’t worry about perhaps having proved the Mets wrong. 

“The opportunity presented itself where it did,’’ Lugo said. “Who’s to say what would have happened with the Mets? You never know. I don’t like to look at the world that way.” 

His All-Star season with the Royals includes a masterful seven-inning performance against the Yankees on Sept. 10, when Lugo didn’t give up a run or a walk and struck out 10 in a win in The Bronx. 

“It’s been really cool to get an opportunity like this and to have this kind of year and make the playoffs,’’ Lugo said. “As a ballplayer, you do your best to do the job and hope it works out like this. It’s special to be a part of.”