When Carlos Carrasco Will Return to New York Mets' Rotation

NEW YORK - The Mets' rotation is about to get healthier.

Starting pitcher Carlos Carrasco threw another bullpen session at Citi Field on Monday and came away feeling good afterward.

If all continues to go well, manager Buck Showalter says Carrasco could rejoin the Mets' rotation by next week.

Carrasco has been on the IL since April 16 with right elbow inflammation. An MRI revealed a bone fragment in his elbow, which prompted the Mets to give him a cortisone shot.

Carrasco has responded well to the injection and is now close to making his return to the Mets.

The 36-year-old got off to a rough start with the Mets this season going 0-2 with a 8.56 ERA in three starts. 

Carrasco is coming off a solid bounce-back campaign, in which he went 15-7 with a 3.97 ERA in 2022.

The Mets have been forced to turn to the likes of Jose Butto, Joey Lucchesi and Denyi Reyes in Carrasco's absence. 

With Max Scherzer and Justin Verlander scheduled to return this week, with Carrasco not far behind, the Mets' rotation is close to being at full strength for the first time in a while.