The Mets are in need of some good news after losing out on their opening series due to COVID-10 cases within the Nationals clubhouse, and they have some optimistic developments with one of their ailing pitchers.
Carlos Carrasco wouldn't have been ready for the season opener due to a hamstring strain, but Luis Rojas told reporters on Friday that the 34-year-old has been progressing well, even facing hitters off a mound as he continues to work his way toward his Mets debut.
"He's advanced really well," Rojas said. "He's thrown a couple of sides and he actually faced batters the other day."
Carrasco pitched one simulated inning of roughly 15 pitches, per Rojas, after straining his right hamstring during conditioning drills immediately following a simulated game that also returned positive reviews while Carrasco was working his way back from a sore elbow. This time, there were no immediate setbacks after what was thought to be a step towards returning.
"He's moved really well," Rojas said. "He's still on a week-to-week approach, it's his right hamstring, the one he pushes off, but throwing off the slope right now is going really, really well. We're still on the week-to-week approach, because there's still other things he needs to do. Push off the mound, field his position, things like that. That's why they're taking that approach, making sure he can progress at the pace they want and make sure he keeps responding."
While Carrasco's first time facing batters since the injury went well, there is still no specific timetable for his return, though it was reported at the time of the injury that Carrasco would need 6-8 weeks before being ready to throw in a game.
"I don't want to lay that out there for anyone," Rojas said. "Not even me. I still get the week-to-week approach with him and see how he keeps responding. Talking to them, that's what I get for a timeline."
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