When the New York Mets traded for Carlos Carrasco and Francisco Lindor before the 2021 season, it was clear that the shortstop was the centerpiece and the pitcher was the complementary player.
However, the Mets did expect big things from Carrasco, a veteran starter who, to that point, had been a perfectly solid, stable arm capable of routinely post a string of seasons with a solid, mid-3.00s ERA.
But spring training 2021 started with an elbow scare for Carrasco, and while he overcame it, then he proceeded to tear his hamstring.
That derailed his season and limited him to 53.2 innings, in which he posted a 6.04 ERA.
With a 35-year-old arm and a lot of mileage, the Mets wondered how much could Carrasco contribute in the 2022 campaign, especially now that Jacob deGrom will be out for a couple of months and Max Scherzer is already banged up.
Carrasco Was Solid Ahead Of His Regular Season Debut
His latest start, however, will help ease some anxious minds in Queens.
“Carlos Carrasco’s last tune-up before the season starts was solid. His final line vs. Astros: 4.1 IP, 4 H, 2 ER, 1 BB, 5 K, 0 HR, 62-42,” New York Daily News reporter Deesha Thosar tweeted on Monday.
Carlos Carrasco's last tune-up before the season starts was solid.
His final line vs. Astros:
4.1 IP, 4 H, 2 ER, 1 BB, 5 K, 0 HR, 62-42— Deesha (@DeeshaThosar) April 4, 2022
Carrasco, who may be ready to complete five innings by the time he takes the mound in an MLB game, threw 4.1 innings in which he allowed two earned runs and a walk, striking out five foes.
The “62-42” part of the tweet means he threw 62 pitches, 42 of which were strikes.
If the Mets can get something close to Carrasco’s career ERA (3.86) this season, they will be more than satisfied.
The rotation needs it, especially with deGrom out of action for a while.
The Mets had some depth issues even before deGrom got injured, and now, they will need excellent injury luck to survive the first half.
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