PORT ST. LUCIE – Carlos Carrasco was on the right path to start the season on the Mets rotation, until he wasn’t.
A few hours after the right-hand shot 20 shots in a simulated game on Thursday and coach Luis Rojas expressed confidence that Carrasco could be ready for his first start to the regular season, the Mets announced that the veteran pitcher was going through a MRI scan for sustained tendon strain during sprints after your throwing session.
Carrasco, according to a source, suffered a high-grade rupture that is likely to cost six to eight weeks on the injured list.
The setback opens doors for two of the three between David Peterson, Joey Lucchesi and Jordan Yamamoto to enter the starting rotation.
“We talked about the depth when it comes to that, we always praise the work that has been done by our board,” said Rojas after the Mets lost 3-1 to Nacional in a Grapefruit League game in Clover Park.
Carrasco, who turns 34 this weekend, was late in his pitches after feeling discomfort in his elbow and paralyzed last week. He started training later this spring to receive extra medical evaluation, as a leukemia survivor.
Rojas was unaware of the tendon injury when he spoke to reporters before Mets faced Nacional. The manager indicated that he was looking at Carrasco throwing 35-40 shots in his next session and still having enough time to prepare for his first match.
“It is devastating to see how hard Carrasco works and, obviously, I think we need him in the rotation to be the elite,” said Marcus Stroman. “I hope he gets on with it and we can bring him back very early. Even if he doesn’t, he doesn’t make it to Opening Day [roster], I think it is more important to put an emphasis on health and make sure it is good for beginnings afterwards. “
Stroman said his confidence is high in the depth of rotation of the Mets.
“I definitely think that if there is a team that can take some starts, I think it is us,” said Stroman. “[But] obviously, we are waiting for Carrasco to come back because he is a big advantage for our team. “
Lucchesi and Yamamoto, who hit the market off-season, have been the most impressive starting pitchers vying for a job. A vacancy exists because Noah Syndergaard’s rehabilitation from Tommy John’s surgery will not be completed before June. Carrasco’s injury leaves a second opening, behind Jacob deGrom, Stroman and Taijuan Walker.
“We have a very good depth, but not only that, but having a guy like Jake, like Marcus and Peterson and other guys with experience in starting games in the last few years gives us a relief when something like this can happen,” said Rojas.
Jerad Eickhoff, Corey Oswalt and Mike Montgomery are other pitchers from the camp with experience as a starter in the major league. Montgomery, who signed a contract with the secondary league, has been working since the bullpen this spring, but Rojas said the southpaw could be extended to get the job started.
“He’s one of those hybrid guys who did both,” said Rojas. “And the way he played the other day he looked fine. You can see a guy going through the schedule a few times with these things. We are working to stretch it, be multi-inning and from there you can always have a plan. “