Carlos Carrasco. Robert Edwards-USA TODAY Sports
Veteran starting pitcher Carlos Carrasco has been sidelined since his last start in the middle of April with right elbow inflammation caused by a small bone chip. Before he was placed on the injured list, Carrasco struggled mightily. He only made three starts, throwing 13 2/3 innings allowing 14 hits and 13 runs with eight walks and strikeouts. That was good for an ERA of 8.56 and FIP of 7.39.
Hopefully, when he returns to the majors post-injury these numbers will improve both quickly and drastically. The Mets’ rotation, which has been one of the worst in baseball, desperately needs it. The good news is if his second rehab outing on Sunday was any indication his return may be on the horizon.
For Double-A Binghamton on Sunday, Carrasco threw 52 pitches (35 strikes) in four innings of stellar work. The 36-year-old only allowed two hits and one walk while striking out four. Importantly, he did not allow a run and decreased his ERA through two outings to 1.29.
As mentioned, this was Carrasco’s second rehab start. In his first one, he allowed three hits and a run over three innings of work. He struck out and walked one in that outing as well.
That is two strong outings for a pitcher that desperately needed it after injury and three woeful starts at the major-league level. Hopefully, when he does return, he can bring some of that success with him to the majors and help settle the Mets’ rotation down a bit.
