D.J. Carrasco Released by Mets

Well, that was quick. Mets reliever D.J. Carrasco lasted just four appearances with New York after he came back from injury before he was released by the team last night after their 6-3 loss to the Cincinnati Reds. During his time with the Mets this year, he accumulated a 7.36 ERA, 1.63 WHIP, and gave up six hits (two home runs), in 3.2 innings pitched. The straw that broke the camel’s back was the two-run bomb that he gave up to Todd Frazier last night, sealing the team’s fate as well as his own.

The release of the 35-year old reliever comes after parts of two seasons with the Amazins, none of which were very, well, amazing. He

ended up with a 1-3 record and 6.11 ERA in 53 innings pitched. When Miguel Batista took over Mike Pelfrey‘s spot in the rotation once Chris Schwinden was sent back down to the minors, Carrasco was brought up as extra ammunition to try and solidify a struggling ‘pen. That, he did not do.

Even before he got released last night, it was already a terrible week for Carrasco, who gave up a home run to Rickie Weeks on Tuesday, then got ejected after hitting Ryan Braun on the very next pitch. Then, Terry Collins decided to take David Wright out in case of possible retaliation, and yatta yatta, you know the rest of the drama. He came in last night with the lead already lost, but Terry Collins was hoping to keep the deficit at one run; Carrasco couldn’t keep Frazier in check, giving up the gopher ball to extend the lead and inevitably, put it out of reach.

In his time as general manager, Sandy Alderson has handed out three multi-year contracts: Jonathon Niese (bravo), Carrasco (ew), and Frank Franicsco (0y!). However, like Van Wilder’s father, he’s able to recognize a poor investment when he makes one, and cut ties. I applaud Alderson for not holding onto Carrasco until the end of the year, solely to justify signing him to that two year deal. He sees that this deal didn’t work out, and is willing to admit that.

With the release of Carrasco, left-hander Robert Carson will be promoted from Double-A Binghamton, giving the Mets bullpen more flexibility with the usage of Tim Brydak.