Carlos Carrasco threw two innings in a simulated game, is progressing well

Carlos Carrasco threw two innings in a simulated game in Port St. Lucie today, according to Mets manager Luis Rojas, who spoke to reporters today. Carrasco has not yet done any fielding drills.

The 34-year-old righty joined the Mets in the same trade the brought Francisco Lindor to Queens, but he suffered a hamstring injury in mid-March while working out after throwing a bullpen session. That bullpen session had come after a slight delay to his spring training because he had experienced some elbow soreness earlier in March.

Carrasco is coming off a very good short 2020 season with Cleveland, having posted a 2.91 ERA with a 3.59 FIP and 10.85 strikeouts per nine innings in 68.0 innings over the course of 12 starts. In 2019, he struggled before he was diagnosed with leukemia, which he has since overcome. But even with those struggles on the mound in 2019, Carrasco has been one of the better pitchers in baseball for quite a while now, flying under the radar a bit in the Cleveland rotation. His return to the Mets’ rotation—whenever it happens—should be a significant upgrade.