Mets: Carlos Carrasco throws bullpen session, keeps progressing

After reporting elbow soreness last week, Carlos Carrasco certainly gave the New York Mets quite the scare. They acquired him alongside shortstop Francisco Lindor, with big hopes of filling a void in the pitching rotation.

Thankfully, Carrasco himself tried to calm everybody down after the initial reaction and the associated fear with elbow soreness in a pitcher. He explained that it is not uncommon for him to feel it at this point of the year and that a couple of days of rest would do the trick.

Apparently, and fortunately for the Mets, that appeared to be the case, at least up until this point. Carrasco tested the elbow over the weekend by throwing from 75 feet, then increasing the distance.

The latest step forward for the Mets’ hurler was throwing an 18-pitch bullpen session this morning, according to what manager Luis Rojas told the press via Zoom.

The Mets hope to have Carrasco ready soon

So far, Carrasco has reported no additional issues or soreness, which means that the next step for the Mets’ pitcher will be facing live hitters on Thursday, two days from now.

Carrasco vowed to be ready for Opening Day, which seemed far-fetched last week but is starting to become a real possibility as the days go by and continues to make progress. He is, barring any setbacks, expected to start the third or fourth game of the regular season for the Mets.

In other Mets news, Rojas isn’t convinced on the number of pitchers he is going to carry on the Opening Day 26-man roster. He is still undecided between 13 or 14.

Perhaps influencing the decision is the battle for the fifth starter job, which according to Rojas, is “really tight”. David Peterson, Joey Lucchesi and Jordan Yamamoto are all fighting to be part of the top five that will enter the season with a regular pitching turn.