After making his long-awaited debut in Port St. Lucie Friday, Carlos Carrasco confirmed on Saturday that his delay in arriving was just to make sure the pitcher is 100 percent healthy, which he is.
He also remained behind to receive the COVID-19 vaccine, but he’s ready to go and expects to be ready for his first start in April.
“I might just miss one start at the beginning of spring training, but that's fine,” Carrasco said. “I'd rather miss one start now than at the beginning of the season.”
Carrasco made all 12 of his starts for the Indians last season and pitched to a 3-4 record with a 2.91 ERA with 82 strikeouts and 27 walks in 68 innings. It was a stark contrast to 2019, in which he missed three months following his leukemia diagnosis. He returned in September, but finished the season with a 5.29 ERA, the highest of his career since 2013 by more than a run and a half.
Carrasco said following his diagnosis and recovery, last year was as typical as possible, pandemic notwithstanding.
“Last year was completely normal for me, other than the short season,” Carrasco said. “But 2019, I did feel a little tired. We tried to find what was going on and that's when the leukemia came up. But compared from last season to 2019 was much better.”
The Mets hope that Carrasco can return to the form that led him to 60 wins from 2015-2018. He developed a reputation as workhorse and averaged 180 innings over those four seasons. The right-hander believes he can be the same dependable starter once again in Queens.
“Last year, I only got to pitch 60-something innings because of the pandemic,” Carrasco said. “Then the year before there was the cancer. But I'm ready. I prepared my body, I prepared my arm to get ready for the season and 180 to 200 innings.”
Despite a brief delay, Carrasco is excited about his new surroundings and expects a competitive season in Queens in 2021.
“I'm so happy to be here right now with my teammates, and even with [Francisco] Lindor too,” Carrasco joked. “Getting to know everyone, everyone's been welcoming to me. It's a great rotation we have but at the same time, it's a great team. I think we're going to be really good this year.”