SETH’S SITUATION

After strong run in World Baseball Classic, Lugo looks to earn spot in Mets’ rotation

PORT ST. LUCIE − Seth Lugo returned to Mets camp Friday with bleached-blonde hair and two new big supporters after losing in the final of the World Baseball Classic. The right-hander, who is battling for a spot in the Mets rotation, pitched for Puerto Rico and earned a new level of respect from Mets backup catcher Rene Rivera and bullpen coach Ricky Bones.

Rivera, who was the backup catcher on Team Puerto Rico, and Bones, the pitching coach, said that Lugo took a step “to a higher level” while pitching in the WBC.

“He faced three All-Star lineups,” Bones said. “And he never backed down. He pitched great. He really took a big step forward.”

Now, Lugo has one Grapefruit League start to show the Mets that. He will make his final start of the spring Monday in a splitsquad game.

With one spot in the rotation open and the favorite for that last spot, Robert Gsellman, having pitched well in camp for the last three weeks, Lugo could have lost ground by going to the WBC. As of Friday morning, the Mets were saying Zack Wheeler was also still a possibility for that fifth spot, albeit a long shot.

Lugo posted a 2.45 ERA in 11 innings pitched before struggling against the U.S. in the WBC final on Wednesday night. He gave up four runs on five hits, while walking four and striking out seven in the loss to the U.S. He finished with a 2-1 record and a 4.20 ERA, but Rivera said that what Lugo proved playing against AllStar lineups like Venezuela and the U.S. in front of hostile crowds in Mexico, San Diego and Los Angeles is bigger than numbers.

“He put himself on the next level,” Rivera said. “He showed he can handle any pressure, he can go out there and pitch and get outs.”

Lugo had shown the Mets he belonged in the majors before he even got to spring training this year. After the Mets suffered what should have been a catastrophic series of injuries to their starters, Lugo and Gsellman stepped into the rotation to help keep the team afloat. He went 5-1 with a 2.68 ERA in eight starts last season.

ROTATION SHUFFLING

The Mets will have three starters going on Monday. Wheeler and Lugo will pitch in the split-squad games while Steven Matz will pitch in a minor league game. The Mets will also hold Noah Syndergaard back from Wednesday’s Grapefruit League finale against the Braves, since he will be facing them Opening Day at Citi Field.

Lugo and technically Wheeler are pitching for spots on the Mets’ 25-man roster and rotation.

CONFORTO CONVINCING

Michael Conforto has done all he can to make a case for a spot on the 25-man roster, but with a crowded outfield, the 23-yearold may be a victim of numbers. Conforto is hitting .327 with two home runs and four RBI in 19 games this spring.

“He’s gone about things the right way,” Terry Collins said. “He’s worked hard, he’s come in in great shape, he’s played all the outfield positions. He’s taken every opportunity to show us his swing is back. Now it’s down to where he fits.”

The Mets manager said he would be comfortable playing Conforto in center field after watching him there this spring. The Mets are likely to keep him as a left-handed bat on a right-handed heavy bench, but there is an argument to send him to Triple-A, where he can play every day.

SALAS SLOW START

Fernando Salas gave up two hits in 2/3 of an inning Friday, continuing to show his rust from a slow spring. He had issues getting a work visa and spent two weeks with Team Mexico in the WBC.