Carlos Carrasco aced his latest minor league test, leaving only the question of which day this week he will be slotted into the rotation for the Mets.
The veteran right-hander fired three scoreless innings with six strikeouts for Triple-A Syracuse against Buffalo on Sunday, after which an industry source said Carrasco will likely join the Mets for his next turn in the rotation.
“His stuff was great,” manager Luis Rojas said after the Mets beat the Blue Jays 5-4 at Citi Field on Sunday.
It was a third rehab start for Carrasco, who has been on the injured list since spring training, when he tore his right hamstring. The Mets wanted him to reach the three-inning mark before activating him from the IL — he will continue to stretch out at the major league level, boosting an undermanned rotation.
If the Mets keep Carrasco on four days’ rest, he would pitch Friday against the Reds at Citi Field, pushing back Rich Hill until later in the weekend.
Jacob deGrom was back throwing from a mound Sunday, about as welcomed a sign as the Mets could have wanted from their ace right-hander.
“Everything is progressing well as of now,” Rojas said.
An industry source — citing the fact deGrom hasn’t pitched since July 7 — said the Mets’ plan is to schedule a minor league rehab start for the right-hander with the hope he can rejoin the rotation in “early August.”
DeGrom returned from the All-Star break with tightness in his right forearm and was placed on the injured list, retroactive to July 15. He resumed throwing last week.
Team officials were discussing the possibility of a bullpen game for the nightcap of Monday’s doubleheader — Marcus Stroman is scheduled for Game 1. The Mets also need a starting pitcher for Tuesday against the Braves.
Edwin Diaz struck out three batters in the ninth for his second save of the weekend, further burying the memory of his previous stretch. Diaz blew three straight saves against the Pirates and Reds.
At 41 years and 136 days, Hill was the second-oldest pitcher to make his Mets debut. Warren Spahn’s debut with the Mets came at 43 years and 356 days when he pitched against the Astros on April 14, 1965.