Inside The Mets

New York Mets Lose Carlos Carrasco as Starting Pitching Injuries Continue to Increase

New York Mets lose Carlos Carrasco as starting pitching injuries continue to increase.

Pat Ragazzo

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Although Max Scherzer's return appears to be on the horizon, the Mets lost another starting pitcher due to injury on Wednesday at Minute Maid Park.

Carlos Carrasco, who got roughed up by the Houston Astros, surrendering five earned runs and three home runs in 3 1/3 innings, exited the game early after appearing to be in some discomfort after throwing his final pitch. 

As the Mets later announced to reporters at the ballpark, Carrasco left his start with lower back tightness. It's unknown whether this ailment will cause the 35-year-old to miss time. 

According to manager Buck Showalter, the initial plan is for Carrasco to travel to Miami with the Mets this weekend. He will undergo an MRI to determine the severity of his back issue. 

On a positive note, Carrasco doesn't think his back tightness is anything serious. But the righty will have to await his MRI results tomorrow. 

"No concern," Carrasco said of his back tightness. "I think I'm gonna be fine. Just waiting for tomorrow and then we will go from there." 

Even with Scherzer expected to rejoin the team this weekend in Miami, and ace Jacob deGrom facing live hitters and nearing a rehab assignment, the Mets' rotation is extremely thin.

Tylor Megill came off the IL on June 10 in Anaheim only to injure his shoulder in his second start back, which put him back on the shelf (will be re-evaluated in four weeks). And with the trade deadline approaching on August 2, it seems as though general manager Billy Eppler will now need to seriously consider acquiring another starting pitcher. 

Meanwhile, Carrasco has been one of the Mets' most reliable starters this season, despite producing a clunker in his latest outing. While Scherzer could return on Sunday in Miami, the Mets cannot afford to lose Carrasco in their rotation.

Should Carrasco land on the IL, depending on the severity of his ailment, this would force Trevor Williams to remain in the starting rotation for the foreseeable future. 

It's beginning to look like a realistic possibility that the Mets will survey the market for starting pitching ahead of the trade deadline, given the injury bug on this unit. 

Read More:

- Jacob deGrom Takes Big Step Towards Returning to Mets

- Max Scherzer Shines in What Could be Lone Rehab Start Before Rejoining Mets

- Mets Injury Updates: Jeff McNeil, James McCann, Trevor May, Travis Jankowski

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Pat Ragazzo
PAT RAGAZZO

Pat Ragazzo is the reporter, publisher, site manager and executive editor for Sports Illustrated's Mets and Yankees On SI websites. Pat was selected as The Top Reporter & Publisher of the Year 2024 by the International Association of Top Professionals (IAOTP) for outstanding leadership, dedication, and commitment to the industry. He has been seen on several major TV Network stations including: NBC4, CBS2, FOX5, PIX11 and NY1; and is frequently heard on ESPN New York FM 880 AM and WFAN Sports Radio 101.9 FM as a guest. Pat also serves as the Mets insider for the "Allow Me 2 Be Frank" podcast hosted by Frank "The Tank" Fleming of Barstool Sports. You can follow him on Twitter/X: @ragazzoreport.

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