D.J. Carrasco (ankle) is expected to begin a rehab assignment with High-A St. Lucie within days. Assuming all goes well, he should be ready to return in early May. Miguel Batista might be cut loose when Carrasco comes back.

Mets placed RHP D.J. Carrasco on the 15-day disabled list, retroactive to March 26, with a sprained right ankle. Carrasco has been limited to just 2 1/3 innings this spring due to the injury. The 34-year-old right-hander is still owed $1.2 million this season after posting a 6.02 ERA over 49 1/3 innings last year.

D.J. Carrasco (ankle) will not make his scheduled appearance in a minor league game Sunday. Carrasco reported discomfort after throwing a bullpen session Friday, and doesn't anticipate being healthy in time for Opening Day. His injury is expected to secure a roster spot for veteran Miguel Batista.

D.J. Carrasco (ankle) doesn't anticipate being healthy in time for Opening Day. "It's not looking that way," Carrasco said. The right-hander, who has been slowed by an ankle injury since March 10, threw off a mound Friday for the third time since the injury, but he felt discomfort during fielding drills Thursday. Carrasco's malady should clinch a roster spot for veteran Miguel Batista.

D.J. Carrasco (ankle) has been throwing off a mound, but he doesn't have a timetable for returning to game action. Carrasco hasn't appeared in a game since March 10 due to a sore right ankle. He must pass fielding tests before being cleared to return to game action, which he hopes will happen this week. The 34-year-old right-hander is competing with 41-year-old Miguel Batista for the final bullpen spot.

Andy Martino of the New York Daily News reports that D.J. Carrasco is a candidate to be traded. Carrasco, Bobby Parnell and Miguel Batista are competing for the final two spots in the Mets bullpen, but Parnell, according to one team official, "would really have to mess up" to not make the team, and Batista is viewed as the favorite over Carrasco. Slated to earn $1.2 million in 2012, Carrasco posted a 6.02 ERA last season and spent a good chunk of the year in the minors. Martino mentions the Marlins and Angels as potential landing spots for Carrasco, but it sounds like speculation at this point.