The Mets continue to get good news on Carlos Carrasco, who would be a massive reinforcement for the team's depleted pitching staff.
Carrasco ran through more intense fielding drills off the mound on Friday as the veteran righty continues to work his way back from a hamstring tear that has kept him out all season, and manager Luis Rojas told reporters on Friday that all went well with those drills, and a rehab assignment could be up next if all goes well with his live batting practice session on Saturday.
"He did it with more intent," Rojas said of Carrasco's fielding drills. "He was more and more deliberate moving, going off the mound."
Carrasco's live batting practice on Saturday will be the second time he has faced live hitters in his progression toward a return, and things will clearly start to ramp up after that as New York tries to get the 34-year-old back by the end of the month.
"That will be another big step," Rojas said. "We're looking at him going to a potential rehab assignment next week. Those are really good signs. I don't know if we're going to do one or two innings out of the chute when he goes on the rehab assignment, and then we'll see after that what he's going to do."
Carrasco is one of several Mets starting pitchers down with injuries, including Joey Lucchesi, who is out for the year, while Noah Syndergaard and David Peterson aren't close to a return, and Corey Oswalt hit the IL earlier this week.
Whenever Carrasco makes his return, it will be his Mets debut after being acquired as part of the trade for Francisco Lindor, and that debut could happen soon after the start of his rehab assignment.
"We're thinking of him potentially joining us not being at a full stretch, like not being at six innings or five, so he can join us even before that," Rojas said. "Let's see how this week goes and then we'll share more on what the plan is."
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