2024-01-28 13:39:06
CLEVELAND — Carlos Carrasco has come full circle to return to the Guardians.
The 36-year-old right-hander, who spent 11 seasons as a pitcher for Cleveland, has reached a minor league deal that includes a spring training invitation with the major league team, a person close to the negotiations said Saturday.
Carrasco would arrive at the club next month, at camp in Arizona, added the source, who spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity because the team will not confirm the agreement until it is signed.
The Athletic was the first outlet to report Carrasco’s return to the Guardians.
The Venezuelan was a reliable part of Cleveland’s rotation for several seasons. He led the American League with 18 wins in 2017.
“Cookie” Carrasco became one of the most popular players on the team for his kind personality and the courage he showed in his fight against cancer.
In 2019, he was diagnosed with leukemia that left him without playing for three months. He was recognized during an emotional appearance on the field that season, during the All-Star Game that took place in Cleveland.
Carrasco was 88-73 with a 3.77 ERA in 242 games — including 195 starts — with Cleveland from 2009 to 2020.
He was traded as part of a deal that also sent Puerto Rican shortstop Francisco Lindor to the New York Mets in 2021. Carrasco had a 19-20 record over three seasons with the Mets.
In 2022, his record was 15-7. Last season, Carrasco went 3-8 in 20 starts.
He was sidelined for the 2016 season, in which Cleveland reached the World Series, after a line drive hit his pitching hand in the final month of the season.
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