Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports

Carlos Carrasco believes that he will be ready to pitch next weekend against the Nationals per Tim Healey of Newsday. Carrasco threw a bullpen session on Tuesday and could throw another on Friday.

Carrasco has been on the injured list since August 16 with a low-grade left oblique strain, but said he doesn’t believe he will need a rehab start. The original timetable given for Carrasco’s injury was three-to-four weeks.

The 35-year-old has been a key cog in the Mets rotation this season with a 3.92 ERA, 3.65 FIP, and 1.9 fWAR in 126 innings spanning 23 starts. The 2022 season has been a huge bounce back after Carrasco posted an ugly 6.04 ERA and battled injuries last season.

Rotation depth pieces David Peterson (3.44 ERA) and Trevor Williams (2.84) have stepped up in a big way when the Mets have needed them this season.