D.J. Carrasco Called Up, Jordany Valdespin Sent Down

The Mets activated D.J. Carrasco from the disabled list and sent Jordany Valdespin back to Triple-A Buffalo. Carrasco has finished rehabbing an ankle injury suffered in spring training. He will presumably fill the long reliever role formerly held by Miguel Batista, who is taking his 6.92 ERA to the starting rotation for the time being. Valdespin will play everyday for Buffalo.

Carrasco was atrocious last season in the first year of a two-year, $2.4 million contract signed in the 2010-2011 offseason. He posted a 6.02 ERA in 49.1 innings while losing a couple ticks off his fastball velocity. His most memorable moment was balking in the game-winning run against the Braves in June. However, he has shown the ability to provide length out of the bullpen in his career, which is something the Mets need right now. If he can regain his 2008-2010 form, he'll be a useful bullpen piece. Let's see what he's got.