Mets manager Luis Rojas provided another positive update on Carlos Carrasco Monday, saying the veteran right-hander is close to throwing five innings in a simulated game.
This one comes as a tad surprising, though, because Carrasco had a return date around mid-to-late May. He has been progressing well in his rehab from a torn hamstring, throwing a couple innings last Sunday and facing live hitters. But this is a big step for him, as Rojas said the Mets are looking to get him to the Alternate Site soon to begin simulated games.
"Carrasco is going to throw four innings now. That’s his next one," Rojas said before the Mets' contest against the Philadelphia Phillies on Monday. "We’re thinking of him coming to the Alternate Site soon to start throwing simulated games there. He is doing PFPs, covering his position. His swinging, he’s hitting. He’s progressing on all the other things he has to do even outside of pitching, facing batters. He’s doing really good right now, so we’ll see what the next step is.
"I think he’s going to go to five innings next outing and then we’ll keep seeing — like I said, it’s a week to week approach. We’ll see how his running is because it’s a hamstring injury. Pitcher running and doing all the things naturally we want to test that. But he’s in a good position right now."