Source: Yankees sign Carlos Carrasco to minor-league deal
Cleveland Guardians pitcher Carlos Carrasco during a 2024 spring training game. Credit: AP/Carolyn Kaster
The Yankees have signed former Mets righthander Carlos Carrasco to a minor-league contract, a source confirmed on Monday, adding a veteran layer to the organization’s pitching depth.
Entering spring training, Carrasco figures to be a long shot to crack the Opening Day roster. The Yankees’ rotation appears full with Gerrit Cole, marquee offseason addition Max Fried, Carlos Rodon, reigning American League Rookie of the Year Luis Gil and Clarke Schmidt. They also still have Marcus Stroman.
Carrasco, who was with the Mets from 2021-23 after coming over in the trade that brought Francisco Lindor to Queens, struggled in his return to Cleveland in 2024. He posted a 5.64 ERA and 1.40 WHIP in 21 starts. The Guardians cut him from the major-league roster in mid-September.
Carrasco, who will turn 38 next month, is determined to make sure that was not the end. During the World Series, when he visited Yankee Stadium for an appearance with fellow former Roberto Clemente Award nominees, he told Newsday that he had no intention of retiring and wanted to pitch two more seasons.
His next shot will come with the Yankees, which comes with a convenient footnote: They hold spring training in Tampa, where Carrasco lives with his family in the offseason.
LI’s Ridings joins Dodgers
Long Island native Stephen Ridings, a righthander formerly of the Mets and Yankees, recently signed a minor-league contract with the Dodgers.
Ridings, 29, of Commack, pitched part of last season with the High Point Rockers in the independent Atlantic League. In nine games (seven starts) for the Rockers, he went 1-0 with a 3.06 ERA in 32 1⁄3 innings, striking out 41.
The St. Anthony’s product is known for a fastball that reaches triple-digits when he is at his best, but he has struggled with injuries in recent years.
With Laura Albanese
Tim Healey is the Mets beat writer for Newsday. Born on Long Island and raised in Connecticut, Tim has previously worked for the South Florida Sun Sentinel, the Boston Globe and MLB.com. He is also the author of “Hometown Hardball,” a book about minor league baseball in the northeast.
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