According to Anthony DiComo of MLB.com, New York Mets Manager Luis Rojas gave updated information prior to Thursday night’s game against the Houston Astros regarding infielder/outfielder Dominic Smith, and newly-acquired starting pitcher, Carlos Carrasco.
Dominic Smith will play left field tomorrow in a Grapefruit League game for the first time, per Luis Rojas.
The Mets had been holding Smith back to avoid taxing him physically, but they do want to give him a long runway to get in reps at what will be his primary position.
— Anthony DiComo (@AnthonyDiComo) March 11, 2021
As spring training progresses, it becomes less likely that there will be a designated hitter in the National League for the 2021 season, though the possibility remains. This would force Smith into left field to get his potent bat into the Mets’ lineup.
During the abbreviated 2020 season, Smith slashed .316/.377/.616 with 10 home runs and 42 RBIs. It’s a bit curious that Rojas has waited until about a third of the way through the exhibition season to begin getting Smith some work in left field, though the manager cites physical taxation as the reason.
Smith would benefit from as much work as possible in left field, as he carries a -7 career DRS and -10 Outs Above Average (OAA) at the position. Smith has pledged to demonstrate in 2021 that he can play the outfield well.
The Mets will need him to deliver on that pledge, as they will be defensively challenged most days in center field (Brandon Nimmo), at first base (Pete Alonso), and at third base (J.D. Davis).
Regarding Carrasco, DiComo tweeted that the second-year skipper said:
Carlos Carrasco (right elbow soreness) is looking to begin playing catch again on Sunday, per Luis Rojas. Obviously needs to ramp up from there, leaving Opening Day in question for the time being.
— Anthony DiComo (@AnthonyDiComo) March 11, 2021
This is promising news, as the Mets are counting on Carrasco to be key piece in the middle of their rotation. When Carrasco’s elbow soreness was first reported, it was noted that he had recently received the Covid vaccine, and that his soreness could be a possible side effect of the inoculation.
However, elbow soreness in spring training seems to be fairly common for Carrasco. According to Mandy Bell of MLB.com, Cleveland Indians manager Terry Francona made the following comment about the veteran right-hander last March:
“Every spring after his first outing, he gets mild elbow inflammation,” Francona said. “I would call it more maintenance than anything.”
Hopefully Francona is correct, as Carrasco’s career ERA of 3.77 and ERA+ of 114 will slot in nicely behind Jacob deGrom and Marcus Stroman, and ahead of David Peterson and Taijuan Walker.
The next couple of weeks will be important for both Smith and Carrasco, as the Mets need both players to be productive as they embark on what they hope will be a strong 2021 season.
