Mets Notebook: Carlos Carrasco returns from injury to face former team

After securing a series win against MLB-best Tampa Bay Rays, the Mets began a three-game set against the Cleveland Guardians — who came across a familiar face.

Carlos Carrasco made his return from the injured list against his former team Friday. Carrasco made his first start since April 15, returning from right elbow inflammation caused by a bone spur.

The Mets optioned left-handed pitcher Josh Walker to make room for Carrasco.

It was his first start against his former team that he played with for 11 seasons.

“Just because guys are traded from your organization, you don’t lose you admiration or affection for guys,” Guardians manager Terry Francona said pregame about Carrasco. “I hope we beat his brains out tonight, but I love the kid.”

Carrasco was part of the blockbuster deal that sent the pitcher and star shortstop Francisco Lindor from Cleveland to New York in 2021. In return, Cleveland received Amed Rosario, Andres Gimenez, Josh Wolf and Isaiah Greene in the deal.

Gimenez has since developed into an All-Star infielder for Francona club’s, getting him a seven-year, $106.5 million extension before the start of the season.

Rosario has turned into a reliable player for the club as well, slashing .278/.312/.400 with 23 homers and 136 RBI since the trade.

“It’s really good to come back to the place where my dream of being a baseball player came true”

GARY IN BIG APPLE AGAIN

Catcher Gary Sanchez was officially added to the active roster before Friday’s series opener. The Mets optioned catcher Martin Perez to Triple-A Syracuse as the corresponding move.

Manager Buck Showalter said “we’ll see,” when asked how he intends to use the former All-Star moving forward.

Sanchez didn’t get the start Friday night with Francisco Alvarez behind the plate, but the two-time All-Star will get opportunities to contribute for his new club in the future.

“He’s doing well down there and we’re going to see if he can contribute for us,” Showalter said.

Sanchez will wear #33 for the Mets. He will also become the 155th player in MLB history to play for both the Yankees and the Mets when he makes his Mets debut.

The catcher spent seven seasons with the Bronx Bombers before getting traded to the Minnesota Twins in a deal that brought Josh Donaldson, Isiah Kiner-Falefa and Ben Rortvedt to the Bronx.

“It feels good to be back here in New York after all those years with the Yankees,” Sanchez said through a translator. “It’s a different team, but it’s still the same city.

INJURY UPDATES

Jose Quintana will pitch off a mound for the first time since spring training on Saturday. It’s good news for the pitcher who underwent bone graft surgery two months ago to repair a stress fracture in his rib.

“Everything went great this morning and happy with the results,” Quintana told reporters on Friday.

The lefty didn’t give an answer on when he’ll return, but concurred on Friday with general manager Billy Eppler’s initial July return date.

“I think that’s a good potential [return],” Quintana said about Eppler’s March comments about the possible return. “I think that’s a good date — if everything keeps going like it is right now, we’re going to be ready that point. So let’s see — I want to rehab and be prepared, and be ready when I come back.”

Quintana allowed five runs, four hits, one walk while striking out one in 1.2 innings of work during spring training after signing a two-year deal with the Mets.

“It’s like my second spring training for one season,” he said. “But we’ve been working pretty good, and I’m ready to touch the mound, so I can’t wait to start my rehab assignments and get ready for the season.”

The team announced that catcher Tomas Nido (dry eye syndrome) was placed on a rehab assignment with Single-A St. Lucie.

Outfielder Tim Locastro has been placed on the 60-day IL with a right thumb UCL sprain after suffering the injury sliding into first base in a rehab assignment.

“It’s probably a surgery injury,” Showalter said about Locastro.

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