Carlos Carrasco is headed to the IL. What does it mean for the Mets starting rotation?
The aging arms in the Mets' starting rotation continue to bring persistent uneasiness.
The latest concern is Carlos Carrasco. The Mets announced on Tuesday night that Carrasco would be heading to the 15-day injured list with right elbow inflammation. They recalled right-handed reliever Jeff Brigham in the corresponding move.
Carrasco joins Jose Quintana (rib stress reaction) and Justin Verlander (muscle strain) on the injured list. Meanwhile, Max Scherzer dealt with lingering soreness in his back and had his latest start pushed back from Sunday to Wednesday.
Carrasco was coming off his most productive start of the season after two clunkers. In his latest outing on April 15, the 36-year-old right-hander threw five innings with three strikeouts and two earned runs allowed on four hits and one walk. Carrasco's first two starts of 2023 came with 11 earned runs across 8⅔ innings.
What it means for the Mets rotation
Jose Butto, who would be the most likely replacement for Carrasco in the rotation, made Sunday's start and allowed one earned run in five innings, but the 25-year-old was optioned to Triple-A Syracuse on Monday and cannot be called up for another 15 days unless another injury takes place.
Left-hander Joey Lucchesi is one of the remaining starting options on the 40-man roster. In two starts for Triple-A Syracuse this season, Lucchesi, who is in his first season back from Tommy John surgery, is 2-0 with a 2.30 ERA and 16 strikeouts in 15⅔ innings.
The injuries to the veteran starters have made the contributions of David Peterson and Tylor Megill that much more important.
The state of the Justin Verlander and Jose Quintana
Verlander continues to progress after the sudden news of his teres major strain on Opening Day.
The Mets ace has continued to throw since the injury was discovered and recently began throwing off a mound down in Florida. He is in line to throw another bullpen session and live batting practice on Sunday before making a rehab start, signaling his Mets debut is at least a week off.
Quintana will remain out until he is completely healed from late March bone graft surgery. He is not expected to be ready to return until at least July.
This article originally appeared on NorthJersey.com: Carlos Carrasco injury: How it impacts NY Mets rotation
