WASHINGTON — The Mets’ next turn through the rotation could include, for the first time this season, four of the five starters the team was counting on as spring training began.
Carlos Carrasco provided the Mets with that possibility Sunday, after pitching four scoreless innings for Double-A Binghamton in his second minor league rehab start.
The right-hander threw 52 pitches and then extended further after he was removed by throwing in the bullpen, according to manager Buck Showalter.
“I try to think there’s some potential good things down the road with him, too,” Showalter said.
Carrasco has been on the injured list since April 18 with right elbow swelling caused by a bone chip.
He would join Justin Verlander, Max Scherzer and Kodai Senga to give the Mets their fourth veteran starter.
Verlander began the season on the injured list and has pitched twice since his return.
Scherzer served a 10-game suspension for violating MLB’s rules on foreign substances and missed his last Tuesday with neck spasms.
The other rotation member as spring training began, Jose Quintana, is sidelined at least into July as he rehabs from rib surgery.
Carlos Carrasco pitches for the Binghamton Rumble Ponies during a rehab start on May 9. Gordon Donovan
Carlos Carrasco has been on the injured list since April 18. USA TODAY SportsDennis Santana, who was selected from Triple-A Syracuse, pitched a scoreless eighth inning in the suspended game.
After the game he was designated for assignment and replaced on the roster by Brooks Raley, who was activated from the injured list.
The lefty pitched a scoreless sixth inning in the second game of the doubleheader.
Seth Elledge was designated for assignment to create space on the 40-man roster for Santana.
Joey Lucchesi, who had started the suspended game, was optioned to Syracuse before play resumed.
Showalter downplayed the Mets’ underwhelming home run total this season. The Mets entered the day tied for 20th in MLB with 41 homers.
“Runs scored are runs scored,” Showalter said. “I know comparatively speaking where we have been in the past and I think we’ll be again. It’s just we’re going through that period, you are always chasing that and good pitchers don’t give up home runs. Our guys have done a good job of doing things offensively against good pitchers. When you face the good ones you want to be able to put the ball in play.”
