The New York Mets have been plagued by injuries to their rotation this season. However, they may be getting some relief soon. Carlos Carrasco, who has been out since April 16th due to right elbow inflammation, could be returning to the team next week. He began throwing again last week and Manager Buck Showalter has said that he is “semi-penciled” in for the rotation cycle starting this Saturday.
Upcoming Schedule
The Mets have an off-day scheduled for next Monday before heading out on a seven-game road trip. Left-hander Joey Lucchesi will start Tuesday’s series opener against the Detroit Tigers, followed by co-aces Max Scherzer and Justin Verlander returning for the final two games of the series. Japanese rookie Kodai Senga is scheduled to start Friday night at Citi Field against the Colorado Rockies. Showalter has stated that the team hopes the early break will keep Senga on his accustomed routine of pitching once a week in Japan, while also preparing him to potentially pitch every fifth or sixth day later in the season.
However, there are many variables to consider, including weather, as the team had games against the Atlanta Braves rained out over the weekend. The NL East rivals were set to play a doubleheader on Monday before the Mets head to Detroit, where showers are in the forecast for Tuesday.
The only projected member of the Mets’ rotation to take every scheduled turn this season has been Senga. Carrasco was 0-2 with an 8.56 ERA in three starts before going on the injured list. Scherzer was ejected from a start against the Los Angeles Dodgers on April 19th for using a foreign substance and has a 2-1 record with a 3.72 ERA in four starts. Verlander has yet to make his Mets debut after getting injured in his final spring training start. However, he tossed 4⅔ scoreless innings in a rehab start on Friday for Double-A Binghamton. Left-hander José Quintana, signed to a two-year deal in December, suffered a broken left rib in March and is on the 60-day injured list.
Overall, the Mets are hoping for some stability in their rotation with the potential return of Carrasco and the upcoming schedule. Showalter has stated that there are many factors to consider, but the team is doing their best to get the rest they need and keep their pitchers on their accustomed routines.
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