Phillies Hit June Slump as Former Pitcher Carlos Carrasco Gets Another Shot With Yankees
After riding high with a dominant 19–6 record through May, the Philadelphia Phillies have stumbled into June on a sour note. The team has dropped four straight games to start the new month, getting outscored 28–11, including a tough weekend sweep at the hands of the Milwaukee Brewers. Monday’s scheduled off-day provides a much-needed mental break for Rob Thomson and his squad as they look to regroup.
As the Phillies evaluate how to get back on track, a familiar—but long-forgotten—name from their past is getting another crack at big-league action. Carlos Carrasco, a former Phillies pitching prospect, is back in the Major Leagues with the New York Yankees.
Carrasco’s Winding Journey From Philly Prospect to Yankees Promotion
Carrasco signed with Philadelphia as an undrafted free agent back in 2003 and was later traded to Cleveland in 2009 as part of the deal that brought Cliff Lee—a former Cy Young winner—to Philadelphia. Though Carrasco never pitched for the Phillies at the major league level, he’s another name in a long list of players who’ve passed through the organization before making their mark elsewhere.
Now 38, Carrasco’s recent years have been marked by struggles on the mound. After signing a minor league contract with the Yankees in February, he made the Opening Day roster but was designated for assignment in early May following lackluster performances. Before being sent down, Carrasco posted a 2–2 record with a 5.91 ERA and 1.531 WHIP.
During his short stint with the Scranton/Wilkes-Barre RailRiders, things didn’t improve much. He allowed a 9.95 ERA over 6 1/3 innings across two appearances. Despite that, the Yankees announced ahead of their 7–3 win over the Los Angeles Dodgers on Sunday that Carrasco has been recalled to the big-league club.
Carrasco’s Future in New York: One Last Shot?
The Yankees’ decision to promote Carrasco again suggests they see some remaining potential or simply need the depth. But with such shaky numbers at both the MLB and Triple-A levels, Carrasco will need to turn things around fast to avoid another demotion.
In a league where “What have you done for me lately?” is the name of the game, Carrasco must prove he’s more than just a depth option. If he doesn’t, his time in New York—and possibly the Majors—could be short-lived.
Meanwhile, Phillies fans hope their team finds its footing soon and reclaims the momentum that made them one of baseball’s best in May.
