PORT ST. LUCIE – Carlos Carrasco played catch on Sunday at the Mets spring training complex, after which he left no ambiguity about his intentions for the start of the season.
“Oh yeah, I’ll be ready,” Carrasco said.
Manager Luis Rojas would prefer to take a more cautious approach with the right-back, who stopped shooting last week after suffering elbow discomfort after a live training session. However, Rojas did not rule out the possibility that Carrasco was ready.
Carrasco previously treated this pain in spring training with the Indians and recovered with a similar break. Right now, Rojas will take a wait-and-see 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 reach, but I have to respect a guy like Carlos who knows his body very well. He’s an experienced pitcher. We see him develop all this week and then we can see if he’s ready.”
Carrasco is expected to play catch-up again on Monday before launching a side session the next day. Rojas recently mentioned the possibility of Carrasco facing live hitters later this week, but was unwilling to commit to that timeline on Sunday.
If Carrasco isn’t ready to start the season, the Mets could choose between David Peterson, Joey Lucchesi and Jordan Yamamoto, who are competing for No. 5 spot in the rotation, to take that spot.
“I’ve been doing this in the past,” said Carrasco, who turns 34 next weekend. “I know my body. I know my routine. I know everything, but I will be ready for the season. I just started shooting today, but I’ll be ready. “
Rojas said team officials should better understand Carrasco’s situation by the end of the week. Carrasco won’t necessarily have to start an exhibition game to prepare, according to Rojas.
“This guy is an experienced man, he has a lot of games, playoff games, that’s right,” Rojas said. “He has the feeling of competing at the level of major leagues and has been successful, so he can go through that progression, go up and be healthy, that’s our main goal. If he doesn’t face an opponent [uniform] I think Carlos will be the same Carlos we hope to have. “