Right-hander Carlos Carrasco resumed throwing today, pitching one inning (about 20 pitches) in a simulated game setting, Mets skipper Luis Rojas tells reporters (Twitter link via Deesha Thosar of the New York Daily News). The Mets remain hopeful that Carrasco can be ready for the Opening Day roster, though that much can’t be known until they see how he feels after throwing this morning and until he builds up more in subsequent throwing sessions. The Mets paused Carrasco’s throwing work last week after he reported some discomfort in his right elbow, but his shutdown was rather brief, lasting just eight days.
Some more notes out of Port St. Lucie…
- Noah Syndergaard threw off a mound this morning, with Mike Puma of the New York Post providing some video footage for interested Mets fans (Twitter link). Rojas tells reporters that Syndergaard, who is on the mend from 2020 Tommy John surgery, is not yet to 100 percent but nevertheless reached 96 mph with his fastball in this morning’s session (via MLB.com’s Anthony DiComo). The 28-year-old won’t be ready for the Opening Day roster, of course, but based on his current trajectory he could be back in the mix by early summer. He’ll be a free agent at season’s end.
- Reliever Jacob Barnes is impressing Mets staffers thus far in Spring Training, writes Greg Joyce of the New York Post. Barnes, a 30-year-old right-hander who was claimed off waivers back in October, worked extensively with pitching coach Jeremy Hefner to deepen his understanding of the analytical side of pitching. “Up until this point, I didn’t really have that,” said Barnes of the data-focused approach taken by Hefner. “So I was just going out there just assuming what worked and didn’t. He pretty much gave me a blueprint of, ‘This fastball works really well here and here and the slider [there].'” Barnes is out of minor league options, so he’ll need to either make the Opening Day bullpen or else be designated for assignment.
- Joey Lucchesi is another Mets newcomer impressing decision-makers, as Thosar explored last night. Rojas and others were pleased with yesterday’s start, as well as Lucchesi’s work in simulated games thus far in camp. He’s in the running for the fifth starter’s job, along with David Peterson and Jordan Yamamoto, both of whom have pitched well. Rojas notes that Lucchesi is stretched out and won’t be used in the bullpen for now, which suggests he’ll be optioned if he doesn’t break camp with a rotation gig. That’d be a disappointing outcome for Lucchesi himself, but the very presence of such a decision speaks to the improved pitching depth the Mets possess in 2021 — something they haven’t had as much of in recent seasons.
I want Carrasco to miss the Opening day roster just so my Nats won’t need to face him lol. I hope he has a good year, but not really since he’s on a rival.
Carrasco is pretty hard to root against, given what he’s gone through.
I know. He’s also just a good guy doing charities.
Plus if you watch him in interviews, he’s impossible to not like.
I absolutely agree with both @flyingblindsquirrel and @PitcherMeRolling
Carrasco has been through so much yet he is still a great dude. I want him, or a guy like him, to come to SF
I’m a die hard Braves fan and even Im rooting for Carrasco to do very well this year … Liked it much better when he was in Cleveland but I cant root against him regardless
I’d root for the guy even if he were on the Yanks
Not that far
Welp, you cursed him… suffered a hamstring injury this morning…
Those are some pretty good options for the fifth spot. All three realistically haven’t hit their ceilings and could provide some very solid contributions for that slot.
jdgoat, that rotation can be really nice. DeGrom, Stroman, and Carrasco are a solid top 3. Walker had a nice bounce back year after 2 years of injury…if he pitches to his capabilities, he is a really good option at 4.
id go with Peterson as the incumbent, but cant go wrong there
Betances is gonna get DFA’d.
You didn’t enjoy his 91 mph heat he touched once or twice?
Dellin always starts slow. He normally starts lighting up the gun sometime in May.
That being said, his curve used to hit 90 mph. Betances had a stretch when he was one of the most dominant pitchers I’ve watched. Yanks rode him really hard for a few years. Hope it’s not caught up to him.
I’m rooting for him.
Dellin is on my forever cool with me list. But…yeah 91 not a good sign, man.
I kind of like their chances this year.
Well they better win the division because they’re better off if they do that. If they are a Wild Card spot, SD is taking them down….
I’m excited about my Padres but a wild card game against degrom would be a tragic result to the season
Given the nature of coming off of a short season and there being a 26 man roster, and all 3 pitching well, what are the chances they decide to go with a 26 man rotation in order to limit innings at least to begin the year? Yamamoto could be optioned for lucchesi and Peterson
26 man rotation, no position players? I like it…that is some outside the box thinking right there.
Too many off days at the start of the season. A six man rotation in April is effectively a seven man rotation in terms of days off.
Doubt Carrasco will be ready for opening day but this might be a good thing. Rather than rush him you let him prepare for mid-April and let one of the competing arms an extended opportunity.
Lucchesi could make the team as a swing man out of the pen. However the Mets could choose to play with Peterson’s service time and send him down for a while too. Yamamoto most likely opens the year at AAA.
Carrasco will be ready for the season and pitch the first time the Mets need a 5th starter which I believe is April 7th. Only one of Yamamoto, Peterson, Lucchesi will be on the OD roster.
I wouldn’t rush Carrasco but get him time to ramp up. Too cold in the northeast in April. Let him get in some simulated games in Florida. And love the idea of giving the other arms a chance to separate in terms of performance. It does seem like the Mets should have some major league ready starting rotation depth at Syracuse. Good to have for a long season.
If Betances doesn’t throw 98 by the last week of spring training the Mets should DFA him.
What’s the other option in the pen? At the very least he’s an arm, which the Mets are short on.
MetsFan22 my thoughts exactly.
Secondly are they kidding me with Jacob Barnes who is out of options?
W 0 Loss 1 ERA 6.75 this spring!
Born and raised in NY as a Mets Fan and still one I am now out in Anaheim for last 10 years and follow the Angels since it does not conflict. Angels dumped Barnes and they are dying for anyone that can pitch.
Did anyone watch Chris Flexon who Mets fans suffered with for years get hammered this spring? Dipoto signed him to 2 years because they liked how he throws! Metrics have there place but results do matter!
Mets have good relievers fighting for last open spots and we are considering Barnes!
There’s definitely something beyond just stats that the Mets are looking at to consider Barnes. Maybe it’s a Sam McWilliams case where he doesn’t have great stats but he has potential if he reworks a few things. Also wins-loss and ERA are kind of an outdated stat especially for such a small spring sample size
McWilliams has looked terrible this spring. His mechanics are all over the place and almost zero control. Too much emphasis on speed guns while guys like Lester, Happ, etc keep getting hitters out consistently.
Familia needs to go. He only gets outs if hitters get themselves out. He’s gas on an open fire and it takes him three hitters to throw strikes.
Update: Carrasco strained hamstring during workout. Headed for MRI, to start season on IL.
Fun fact from looking at Jacob Barnes BR page he is almost exactly a “replacement player”. In other words he has a 0.1 WAR for his career
Should Mets decide to let Lucchesi go, they need to call Rangers. We have perhaps an extra CF we might be convinced to send your way.
Carrasco will be ready for the season and pitch the first time the Mets need a 5th starter which I believe is April 7th. Only one of Yamamoto, Peterson, Lucchesi will be on the OD roster.
Can you please post that again? I don’t think it came through the first hundred times. Also, you’re probably wrong.
Carrasco might end up being the next Kluber or Clevinger. Looks like he will be lucky to pitch in the first half of the season this year. Wonder if the Tribe bribes the doctor doing the physicals. Lol. That being said it is sad that Carlos is out again. Guy can’t catch a break.