Robert

Carson

Carson has received an injection to hopefully speed the recovery along, but generally intercostal strains sideline players for multiple weeks. It’s a tough blow for Carson, who was hoping to impress enough in spring training to earn a spot in the Mets bullpen as a left-handed reliever.

Carson is likely to be sent back to the Triple-A level on Friday, when the Mets are forced to promote a starter to take Mike Pelfrey’s (elbow) spot in the rotation.

Carson was called up earlier this week to give the Mets an extra reliever, but he didn’t make an appearance during his brief stint with the big club. Chris Schwinden will officially be called up from the minors Friday to start against the Rockies.

Carson suffered an intercostal strain on his right side early in camp, but has made steady progress since receiving an injection. The 23-year-old southpaw hopes to throw one more bullpen session before being cleared to make his Grapefruit League debut.

Carson, who turns 23 in January, compiled an underwhelming 5.05 ERA and 91/55 K/BB ratio over 128 1/3 innings this season at the Double-A level. However, the Mets aren’t ready to give up on the hard-throwing lefty. who may eventually find a home in the bullpen. He’s now protected from the Rule 5 Draft.

Carson gave up two runs over three innings after being called up a little over a week ago. He’ll return to a 1.84 ERA and 13/4 K/BB ratio over 14 2/3 innings at Binghamton.

With Tim Byrdak (shoulder) on the disabled list, Carson is a candidate to be promoted for this weekend’s series with the Braves. “When we get home, we’re going to take a look,” manager Terry Collins said. “We’ve got obviously Johan coming off the DL at the end of the week, and we’ve got to make another move, so we’ll certainly make some considerations whether we need another lefty.”

He’ll take the roster spot of Jeremy Hefner, who will be away for a couple of days on paternity leave. Carson has had two brief stints with the Mets this season, but has spent the majority of the year in the minors, posting a 3.86 ERA and 52/21 K/BB ratio over 51 1/3 innings between Double- and Triple-A. He’ll provide a second left-hander out of the bullpen to complement Josh Edgin.

He’ll take the spot of D.J. Carrasco, who was designated for assignment. Carson was called up last month by the Mets but didn’t make an appearance. He holds a 1.84 ERA and 13/4 K/BB ratio over 14 2/3 innings for Binghamton.

They’ll take the roster spots of Ramon Ramirez (hamstring) and Mike Baxter (collarbone). It had been thought that Pedro Beato would take Ramirez’s spot, but Adam Rubin of ESPN New York speculates that they might not be ready to restore him to the 40-man roster since Chris Young will need a spot Tuesday.