Mets' Carlos Carrasco needs 'more strength' in injured hamstring; debut uncertain

New York Mets starting pitcher Carlos Carrasco is apparently no closer to making his regular-season debut for his new club than he was at the end of May. 

If anything, the 34-year-old will likely have his first New York start delayed again. 

According to Anthony DiComo of the MLB website, Mets manager Luis Rojas told reporters ahead of Wednesday's matchup at the Baltimore Orioles that Carrasco currently isn't throwing off the mound's slope as he was last week while rehabbing his torn hamstring. 

"There is no reinjury or anything like that," Rojas explained. "We still have to put some more strength in that hamstring before we ramp up his baseball progression."

One can't blame Mets fans for feeling frustrated, particularly after right-hander Noah Syndergaard was shut down for six weeks ahead of the Memorial Day weekend due to inflammation in his right elbow as he works to return from last year's Tommy John surgery. 

Carrasco joined the Mets in January via the trade that also landed the Amazins All-Star shortstop Francisco Lindor, and the righty has dealt with a lingering hamstring issue since March that's kept him out of the rotation. 

Carrasco went 3-4 with a 2.91 ERA and 82 strikeouts in 12 starts and 68 innings pitched during the pandemic-shortened 2020 season. It was suggested on May 24 he could be on the active Mets roster by late June or early July, but that sounds more hopeful than realistic following Wednesday's update.