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'Big chance' Carlos Carrasco makes Mets debut Friday?

By Zac Wassink | Last updated 7/27/21

The New York Mets are reportedly in the market for some pitching help ahead of Friday's trade deadline but could add an arm to the rotation that same day without losing anything in the process.

Manager Luis Rojas told reporters ahead of Tuesday's showdown with the Atlanta Braves that veteran Carlos Carrasco could finally make his big-league debut for the Mets when they host the Cincinnati Reds on Friday night.

There is a "big chance" that Carlos Carrasco starts for the Mets on Friday against the Reds: pic.twitter.com/BKqxYhyr4U
— SNY (@SNYtv) July 27, 2021

"He threw a side today," Rojas explained. "Yesterday, I think I said that Rich Hill may be our Friday pitcher, but Cookie may be our Friday pitcher now here. I'm gonna say there's a big chance now, a bigger chance. He threw a side here. He feels great. We're pretty optimistic that he's going to make that start for us Friday."

Carrasco, 34, joined the Mets along with star shortstop Francisco Lindor via a January trade from the Cleveland Indians but went down to a torn hamstring in March. His return was ultimately delayed from May through the start of summer, but he recently passed a final test of a rehab appearance with Triple-A Syracuse.

In 12 starts and 68 innings of work during the pandemic-shortened 2020 season, Carrasco notched a 3-4 record with a 2.91 ERA.

The Mets began Tuesday evening at 53-45 and in first place in the National League East standings, three-and-a-half games ahead of the second-place Philadelphia Phillies.

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