The Mets will welcome Carlos Carrasco back from the 15-day injured list today, with the veteran righty being activated to start against the Nationals. Right-hander Adonis Medina was optioned to Triple-A to open up a spot for Carrasco on the active roster.
Carrasco hasn’t pitched since August 15 due to a left oblique strain, though fortunately for both the right-hander and the Mets, it was a lower-grade oblique issue. Rather than a season-threatening injury, Carrasco is now back after just shy of three weeks on the sidelines, and ready to help the Mets in their bid for the NL East title. Though the injury wasn’t overly serious, it did have some notable ramifications on Carrasco’s contract, as he now won’t be able to reach the 170 innings necessary to turn the Mets’ $14MM club option for 2023 into a guaranteed year.
However, it is also quite possible the Mets will end up exercising that option anyway, given how solid Carrasco has been this year. After his first season in New York was marred by injuries, Carrasco has rebounded to post a 3.92 ERA/3.60 SIERA over 126 1/3 innings in 2022. While his hard-contact numbers are middling and Carrasco has been hampered by a .330 BABIP, he has posted above-average strikeout and walk rates. As has often been the case throughout his career, Carrasco also still has one of the best chase rates of any pitcher in baseball.
The Mets have an 85-49 record despite playing virtually the entire season without their first-choice rotation, and that trend might be in danger of continuing just as Carrasco makes his return. Max Scherzer had to leave yesterday’s start after 67 pitches due to what the team described as left side fatigue.
Considering that Scherzer missed close to two months with a oblique strain of his own earlier this season, his removal “was a precautionary move,” the right-hander told MLB.com’s Joe Trezza and other reporters.
“There was nothing that happened. Nothing tightened up. Just had general fatigue overall on my left side,” Scherzer said. “That is where you can run into an injury, when you’re pitching through fatigue….I just couldn’t take any risks, especially where the calendar is at. There is no time left to re-ramp back up. I think that played just as important a factor in coming out after five [innings].”
Scherzer said he would be able to make his next start, while Mets manager Buck Showalter was a little less steadfast, instead saying “we’re hopeful [Scherzer] can make his next start.” New York doesn’t have a game on Thursday, so Scherzer will already get an extra day to rest and recover before he is slated to face the Marlins on September 9. Given the right-hander’s importance to the Mets’ playoff chances, it wouldn’t be a surprise to see that start pushed back or perhaps even scratched if Scherzer has any at all lingering effects from his side issue.
When I hear Mad Max say “fatigue” all I can really think about is how his season ended with the Dodgers..This isn’t history repeating itself a month early is it??
Shut Scherzer down then. You can win in the wild card round, if need be.
He had arm fatigue after being misused once and now that’s his history?
How is it NOT his history? It happened almost a year ago and it’s happening again now. Is it not? Im a big O’l fan of Max and wanted him to stay on the Dodgers so no grief please.
I’m trying to figure out what his left side fatigued has to do with right arm fatigue he had last year based on these comments. Left is oblique, right is arm so where is the historical correlation other than the word “fatigue?”
Nowhwere. You pretty much have it right.
You’re implying that misuse was the culprit for his fatigue in the playoffs, right? What is the culprit now that he is fatigued in early September?
No not at all. I remember MAX being the one that was pissed last year regarding his use at the end. I have nooo idea what the real deal was. I just think it is an unfortunate coincidence that right near the end now he is “fatigued” again…Nothing more than unfortunate.
Putting the word “fatigued” in quotes is the right approach. Seems like some around here are taking the term too literally. It’s just a vague description of something wrong but we’re not really being told what.
I subscribe to when a top player is out, baseball as a whole suffers. If someone can’t appreciate what Scherzer and DeGrom do, they’re not true baseball fans.
I’ll take him on the Angels “fatigued” or “non-fatigued.” Still think he’s the best.
It happened during the Nationals World Series. Remember when they had to push his start back in the World Series?
Seems like eons ago but I do remember.
Yup. I mean he’s old and still throws at an inhuman level. I think he’s just being smart and cautious so he’ll be fine for the playoffs, but it’s fair to be concerned. And honestly I don’t see this three year contract ending well, but if the Mets get their ring then no one will care.
For a Philly fan, you sure are objective with the Mets, a rarity from what I recall from my days in Jersey/Philly. The Mets will probably not get a ring due to lack of power.
Old for baseball, not for life. I’m 70 now, back in my late thirties, I had a series of small strokes. I was very intense back then, Max is VERY intense now.. My guess is he needs some R&R now! Don’t blow this guy up!
You are still intense Curly!
“after being misused once”
September 23, 2021, against Colorado
5 IP, 102 P, 6 H, 1 BB, 1 HR, 5 Runs
September 29, 2021, against San Diego
5.1 IP, 97 P, 11 H, 2 HR, 6 Runs
That’s a .354/.367/.625/.992 line against over his final 2 games of the regular season
Meanwhile he had the same number of starts (6) and IP (39.1) as he had in May, despite him claiming otherwise
So why does anyone blindly accept his nonsensical excuse for last seasons arm issue?
The injury was much more likely due to age & wear than the garbage he gave just to try and dupe a fool into giving him a 80+ million multi year deal
Must be nice to be able to afford 14 million next year for a guy that’s hurt all the time. That’s if they do.
Cookie has been healthy for the most part this year and very effective. If he hadn’t been, that 170 innings mark wouldn’t have even been a consideration before he was placed on the IL recently. I think they will pick it up because it’s considerably cheaper than a QO. They’re already looking at five other QOs including four pitchers. DeGrom will opt out so he’ll get the first QO, though he’ll probably sign a Durant-like extension. Of the other three pitchers, Díaz will definitely get a QO, though he’ll probably resign for 5/$100M. Bassitt and Walker will likely get QOs as well and could sign them, but could look elsewhere because I don’t think the Mets will offer them long term deals considering the other deals they need or want to get done. For position players, Nimmo will get a QO but they’ll try to lock him up as well. I’m sure they will try to sign Alonso and McNeil to extensions while they’re still under team control.
They might decide to spend more and give Verlander a Scherzer type deal.
Only if they can’t sign deGrom.
Don’t be a hater.
“Left-side fatigue” aka his lift oblique is not fully healed aka he is not 100% now aka the freefall begins soon aka deGrom will be a Brave next season
I love this weird fantasy Braves fans keep having about them signing deGrom next year. They wouldn’t cough up a little extra money for the face of the franchise in Freddie Freeman, who is still amazing, but somehow they’re going to find $45+ million a year for deGrom.
And the idea that they’ll outbid Steve Cohen is even crazier.
He wants to go there, but he will go to the team that offers him the most money. Freeman’s situation is completely different because we are talking 5-6 years vs. 1-2 years.
But yes, the Braves did make a mistake not bringing back Freeman. Not a fan of Olson, but they could have acquired worse.
you think degrom is going to sign a 1 or 2 year deal? my guess is at minimum 3 but im guessing 4 considering his teammate signed that 3 at an older age and he will want more per year is my guess along with opt outs and no trades.
Are the braves willing to shell out 4 – 180 with player opt outs and losing a pick?
We don’t know what he will go, but I agree, he will likely get 3 years from someone. To answer the last statement, I don’t think the Braves will go beyond 3 years. If AA wants him, he will get him, somehow.
“He wants to go there, but he will go to the team that offers him the most money.”
Which will be the Mets. Or the Dodgers. Maybe a wild card like the Mariners. But there is a zero percent chance the Braves will offer him the most money. 0.0%. Freddie Freeman should have been a career Brave like Chipper Jones but the Braves squabbled over a few million a year and let him walk. No idea how people think they’ll suddenly open up the wallet for deGrom.
Okay, he will not be a Brave. The Mets need him more than the Braves do anyway.
It’s not about outbidding the Braves. It’s about deGrom wanting to pitch for a legit team that locks up its young core of championship caliber players for the next decade…instead of spending like a bunch of drunkin sailors that is unsustainable. It would also put him a hour away from his home in Florida. Braves.. arrow pointing up. Mets… arrow pointing horizontal…
LOL
It’s 100% about the best contract/living situation deGrom gets. And I don’t think it’ll be a two-team race for deGrom’s services. One of the greatest pitchers of all time is going to get paid, even though there are red flags.
so its not about the money? then why did he complain when he got the league set pre-arbitration dollar instead of even 50 or 75k more raise and felt disrespected by it? Also wanted opt outs from the team as well.
This may be his last big contract assuming no opt outs because outside of scherzer and verlander that reinvented their game (which i think degrom may do later on) there is not a lot of power pitchers that went into their age 38 season getting an ask of even 30+ million. Also lets be honest he could go to say the orioles or the mariners or even the braves but where are the big endorsement and advertising deals …. NY and CA. So think about it post career too. outside of baseball circles how many people know about chipper jones and acuna vs how many remember jeter or rodriguez or know about trout and ohtani. Even bryce harper in philly which is a large town doesnt compare.
Also the braves are assuming all these guys will be good, yes you could get lucky and get a sandy alcantra but you may also end up with sixto or tatis who is injured more than healthy or you could end up with a scott kingery who did well for short time and fell off a cliff.
An hour? 6 hours from deLand to Atlanta. Your point still stands to an extent. I’d rather live in an Atl suburb than Jersey or NY.
deGrom is already rich. Atlanta is a less than 6 hour drive to his hometown. NYC is an absolute shytehole now. No Florida native in their right mind wants to live in ‘Boken, let alone NYC. For $10mil less, I’d absolutely live in Georgia over NY.
“deGrom is already rich” … then why bother opt out and you dont think cohen basically lets degrom go wherever he wants when its not game day and foots the bill for a 1st class ticket if not private jet which is maybe a 2 hour flight while he kicks up his heels and drinks louis the xiv i think degrom seems more like a beer drinker but cant confirm or deny that … Braves cant do that because they are owned by corporation and not by an individual that can do that on a whim. Degrom outside of probably Polar Pete is his biggest marketing piece. Although i guess he could enjoy a half day round trip drive.
Also have you seen outside NY borough? its better than the suburbs in Atlanta. Also arent people pissed in georgia and leaving in droves from all the politics and bs? Hell they lost the all star game due to same politics. Not saying NYC politics are better but the rest of NY State is better which im sure he would be living there and not the city.
And just because they rich doesnt mean they dont want more … remember A-rod, he was already the biggest contract at 225ish M but opted out to get a new contract for 275 … Scherzer has 200M+ with a ring and still getting money from the nationals but signed a record breaking contract with the mets. He is getting millions that were deferred from the nats while playing for rival mets. So rich doesnt really have a merit on arguments especially when you see him fight for pittances at the beginning of his career.
You also dont think Scherzer is whispering in his ear since he is union rep and wants more money in the pool for all the players including himself if he plays past this contract? He probably telling degrom to go for 45M+ per year.
If he wanted to play for an up and comer closer to home for a discount … why would he choose the braves over say the rays who are in florida and is always a threat for the playoffs and about 2 hr drive along with getting more in his pocket with the taxes being cheaper. he could start an afternoon game and probably be in his hometown for a late dinner and still be back in time in the morning for batting practice..
The Braves would be a perfect fit. A ton of talent. No holes in their lineup. Young. Great organization to play for. Proven winner year in and year out. Near his home in Florida. Friendly people. New York is a crime ridden outlaw city. People are leaving in droves because of lawlessness,taxes and destructive Democrat policies. Surely you know that. Just ask your former Governor. Can’t wait for the Braves to sign him. They’ll have the money after Swanson leaves for sure. Get used to it.
@Ozuna, there is no way the Braves will even enter the race for deGrom. They don’t need to either. With Fried, Strider, Wright, and fingers crossed Soroka, the Braves could have the best 4 man rotation in the National League if not all of the majors.
He one ugly dude