When it comes to the clock, Carlos needs more time
PORT ST. LUCIE — Carlos Carrasco didn’t think he would have any problems with the pitch clock. But then he started using it. Carrasco worked with the pitch clock for the first time in a Grapefruit League game on Thursday in the Mets’ 6-2 loss to the Atlanta Braves at Clover Park. The righthander allowed two earned runs on two hits over two innings. He realized he was trying to rush to beat the clock instead of letting it tick down a few seconds before firing to home.
“I think I said before that I don’t have any issue with the timer,” Carrasco said. “But I found out that I have (issues).”
The issues are nothing major, especially since he was anticipating having to make some adjustments to accommodate for the new rule. Carrasco needed some clarification. Coming into the game, he was under the assumption that he had to throw as soon as the batter was ready. Hitters have to be in the box and ready at the 0:08 mark, but pitchers can hold the ball until the last second.
“I was rushing myself,” Carrasco said. “I didn’t understand completely what to do. We can hold the ball until one second, but I was throwing the ball with 1517 seconds and rushing myself in the second inning. But it’s spring training, so I know for my next outing, I can get a little bit more time in there.”
A few other pitchers helped Carrasco better understand the rule, encouraging him to hold on to it longer. He plans to use a timer in his net bullpen session to be able to work on slowing himself down on the rubber. But overall, the nearly-36-year-old came away from the outing feeling positive and, most importantly, feeling healthy.
His goal for 2023 is to stay that way.
Last season, he pitched more innings than he had since 2018 and had a solid season as a backend starter, looking more like the pitcher who starred for Cleveland than the one who struggled with the Mets in 2021.
The Mets picked up his option for 2023 and then proceeded to test the trade market for him over the winter. Ultimately, the club chose to keep him in an effort to stockpile starting pitching and build a deep rotation. And with so many starters over the age of 30, the Mets may even add a sixth man into the rotation periodically next season to keep pitchers like Carrasco healthy.
“I’m pushing myself every day to work,” Carrasco said. “I know that with age, it’s not always easy, but I’m pushing myself every day to go out there and pitch no matter what.”
STANDOUT PERFORMERS
Brett Baty just keeps hitting. The third base prospect went 2-for-3 with an RBI against the Braves and has now hit safely in five of six games this spring. He’s 6-for-12 with a home run, 4 RBI and a walk.
Francisco Lindor hit an opposite-field line drive off left-hander Dylan Dodd in the fourth inning.
Drew Smith, Bryce Montes de Oca and Nathan Lavender each worked scoreless innings.
Eduardo Escobar played two innings in left field, but don’t expect a position change. Venezuela may use the third baseman in the outfield during the World Baseball Classic, so this was discussed ahead of time with manager Buck Showalter.
“It’s something he wanted to,” Showalter said. “He’s done it a little bit on the back fields, played a little bit out there too just trying to prepare. He’s taking this very seriously, as are all of the guys.”
WBC DEPARTURES BEGIN
Jonathan Arauz was the first player to depart camp and head to the WBC. The infielder left on Wednesday to join Team Panama in Taichung, Taiwan. Panama is in Pool A, the first pool to begin play. Several others are expected to leave after the weekend.