PORT ST. LUCIE – Carlos Carrasco played catch on Sunday at the Mets spring training complex, after which he left no ambiguity regarding his intentions for the beginning of the season.
“Oh, yes, I’ll be ready,” Carrasco said.
Manager Luis Rojas would prefer to take a more cautious approach with the right, which was stopped from throwing last week after suffering elbow discomfort following a live training session. Even so, Rojas did not rule out the possibility that Carrasco was ready.
Carrasco had previously dealt with such pain in spring training with the Indians and has recovered from a similar rest. At this point, Rojas will take a long-awaited approach with Carrasco, who has yet to appear in a Grapefruit League game this spring.
“It’s great to hear his optimism,” Rojas said. “I stay within range, but I have to respect a guy like Carlos who knows his body very well. He is an experienced pitcher. Let’s see if this happens now during this week and then we can see if it will be ready. ”
Carrasco is expected to play catch again Monday before throwing a side session the next day. Rojas recently mentioned the possibility of Carrasco facing live hitters later this week, but he wasn’t ready to commit to that Sunday timeline.
If Carrasco is not ready to start the season, the Mets could choose between David Peterson, Joey Lucchesi and Jordan Yamamoto, all competing for the No. 5 job in rotation, to take that place.
“I’ve done this in the past,” said Carrasco, who turns 34 next weekend. “I know my body. I know my routine. I know everything, but I’ll be ready for the season. I just started throwing today, but I’ll be ready. ”
Rojas said that by the end of the week, team officials should better understand Carrasco’s situation. Carrasco will not necessarily have to start an exhibition game to prepare, according to Rojas.
“This guy is an experienced guy, he’s thrown in a lot of games, in the playoffs, that’s right,” Rojas said. “He has a sense of competition in the major leagues and has been successful, so for him to go through this progression and grow and be healthy, this is our main goal. If you do not face an opponent [uniform] I think Carlos will be the same Carlos we expect to have. ”