Veterans usually know what their role will be in the regular season before they arrive at their team’s spring training site. Not so with Carlos Carrasco, at least not in 2024.
Carrasco is with the Guardians in Goodyear, Ariz., on a non-roster invitation after signing a minor-league contract on Feb. 1 — 11 days before pitchers and catchers were due to report to spring training.
Carrasco, 36, pitched for the Indians from 2009-2020. He and shortstop Francisco Lindor were traded to the Mets in January 2021 for second baseman Andres Gimenez and shortstop Amed Rosario plus minor league prospects Josh Wolf, a right-handed pitcher, and outfielder Isaiah Greene.
Gimenez has been the Guardians’ starting second baseman the majority of the time since the trade was made. Rosario was traded to the Dodgers last year and is now with the Tampa Bay Rays. Greene and Wolf spent the majority of 2023 with the Lake County Captains — the Guardians High-A affiliate.
Stephen Vogt is in his first year managing the Guardians, but the 39-year-old former catcher has a good sense of timing and history. Vogt called upon Carrasco to start the Cactus League opener for the Guardians on Feb. 24 against the Reds. The Red won, 4-0.
Carrasco gave up a leadoff walk and a bloop single to the first two Cincinnati batters, but got out of the inning without giving up a run. First baseman Josh Naylor caught a foul popup off the bat of Jeimer Candelario and then Jake Fraley grounded into a double play. As planned, Carrasco’s day was finished.
“As soon as I got to the mound, I had a lot of feelings,” Carrasco told reporters covering spring training. “I pitched here for 11 years. I was so nervous I couldn’t feel the ball.
“I’ve been playing baseball for a long time, but I was so, so nervous going to the mound. I put the first two guys on base. I’m glad I got the guy on (the) first pitch and the ground ball was right there. It’s really good to be here.”
Carrasco started 29 games and was 15-7 with a 3.97 ERA with the Mets in 2022. Injuries limited him to 20 starts last season. He was 3-8 with a 6.80 ERA .
Carrasco’s best chance of making the Guardians’ 26-man roster is as a long reliever because the starting rotation of Shane Bieber, Triston McKenzie, Tanner Bibee, Logan Allen and Gavin Williams is set. But it is unrealistic to expect all five to make 30 starts during a season that spans six months.
Carrasco started 195 games in his first stint with the Indians. He has a record of 88-75 in a Cleveland uniform.
“I don’t know where (I’ll play), but my body is still there,” Carrasco said. “My arm is still there. I will play until my body says I’m done.”
Only Jose Ramirez got a louder ovation from fans at Goodyear Ballpark when the Guardians were introduced for the Cactus League opener. Carlos “Cookie” Carrasco can expect the same reception if he gets another chance to pitch at Progressive Field.