Carlos Carrasco’s return to action is being delayed by a stomach virus. The right-hander was set to go on a rehab assignment this weekend but it’s been pushed back while he deals with the illness.

The 36-year-old Carrasco has been dealing with bone spurs in his right elbow and had a cortisone shot to alleviate the pain and inflammation while the Mets were in California nearly two weeks ago, which seems to have had its intended effect. Carrasco has reached the stage in his rehab where he is ready to get back into a game but the Mets still aren’t sure when or where that will occur.

“There’s still some thought about him pitching tomorrow,” manager Buck Showalter said Friday afternoon before the Mets opened a three-game series against the Colorado Rockies. “But if you asked me today, that would be in jeopardy.”

The club is optimistic that he can make that start Sunday. The location and affiliate club will be determined by the weather. Rain is in the forecast this weekend in Port St. Lucie, but the skies are clear in Syracuse and Binghamton.

Carrasco, who was with the team in the Mets clubhouse on Friday, is 0-2 with an 8.56 ERA this season and the team is hoping that the inflated numbers are due to the bone spurs. Having Carrasco back means having four of the five starters the Mets intended to use in the rotation when they constructed the roster over the summer. It’s one of the biggest reasons general manager Billy Eppler is expecting the Mets to be able to shake this recent 2-8 stretch.

“I’ll tell you what, there are reasons for optimism,” Eppler said. “We’ve got Max back, got Justin back, we’re looking at Carlos here pretty soon. He’s fighting a stomach bug right now so I think that’s gonna push back a rehab start, which is unfortunate, but we’re looking at him.”

Left-handed reliever Brooks Raley will be the next pitcher in line to come off IL. He’ll throw a simulated game Wednesday. He has been continuing to throw during his time away with elbow inflammation.

Outfielder Tim Locastro is completing his rehab assignment with Triple-A Syracuse. Showalter said the Syracuse native will be an “option in the near future.”

SOUND THE TRUMPETS

Edwin Diaz received his 2022 NL Trevor Hoffman Reliever of the Year Award on the field prior to the Mets’ Friday night contest against the Colorado Rockies. Pitching coach Jeremy Hefner was chosen to present him with the award and bullpen catchers Dave Racianello and Eric Langill accompanied him as well. The Mets also honored him with a video tribute.

Diaz’s rehab from patellar repair surgery continues to go well and the reports that the Mets have received have been positive. He’s still expected to be out for the remainder of the season,  but the club is happy he continues to progress without setbacks.

“What a great recognition,” Showalter said. “You think about all the great relievers in baseball you might have got to watch that last year. It’s a reminder of what we’re missing, along with some other people but we’ll get them back at some point.”

MENTAL HEALTH DAY

As part of an effort to erase the stigma surrounding mental health, Saturday will be Mental Health Awareness Day. The day was created to help bring awareness to mental health resources and is part of the team’s ongoing partnership with New York-Presbyterian and is presented by Carlelon.

Bill Pulsipher will throw out the first pitch. The former Mets left-hander has been open about his struggles with anxiety and depression. There will also be resources and information available throughout the game.