Rise to Success: Career Highlights of Carlos Carrasco (baseball)

By Popular Timelines Editorial Team · Updated: July 14, 2026

How Carlos Carrasco (baseball) built a successful career. Explore key moments that defined the journey.

Carlos Carrasco is a veteran professional baseball pitcher known for his impressive tenure in Major League Baseball, primarily with the Cleveland Guardians. Debuting in 2009, he established himself as a reliable starting pitcher, utilizing a repertoire highlighted by a sharp slider and mid-90s fastball. Beyond his on-field performance, Carrasco is widely celebrated for his resilience and character. In 2019, he was diagnosed with chronic myeloid leukemia, a condition that sidelined him mid-season; however, he underwent treatment and successfully returned to the mound later that year, earning the American League Comeback Player of the Year award. His inspirational journey and commitment to community service have made him a respected figure in the league. Over his long career, which has also included stints with the New York Mets, he has remained a symbol of perseverance, demonstrating remarkable dedication to the sport despite significant health challenges.

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Full Timeline Career & Achievements

November 25, 2003: Signed by Philadelphia Phillies

On November 25, 2003, Carlos Carrasco officially began his professional baseball journey by signing with the Philadelphia Phillies as an undrafted free agent.

2006: 2006 Season with Lakewood BlueClaws

Throughout the 2006 season, Carrasco played at the Single-A level for the Lakewood BlueClaws, where he recorded a 2.26 ERA over 159 1/3 innings pitched.

August 21, 2007: First Career No-Hitter

Carlos Carrasco achieved a significant pitching milestone on August 21, 2007, when he threw the first no-hitter of his professional baseball career.

2007: Top Prospect Ranking

In 2007, Carlos Carrasco was recognized as the number one prospect within the Philadelphia Phillies organization and ranked as the 41st-best prospect across all of Major League Baseball.

2008: Continued Prospect Dominance

Entering the 2008 season, Carrasco maintained his status as the top-ranked prospect for the Phillies and received recognition for possessing the best fastball and changeup in the entire organization.

2008: All-Star Futures Game Selection

In 2008, Carlos Carrasco was named to the World roster for the All-Star Futures Game, marking his third consecutive appearance in the event.

July 29, 2009: Trade to the Cleveland Indians

On July 29, 2009, the Philadelphia Phillies traded Carlos Carrasco, Jason Donald, Lou Marson, and Jason Knapp to the Cleveland Indians in exchange for Cliff Lee and Ben Francisco.

2010: 2010 MLB Season Performance

During the 2010 season, Carlos Carrasco pitched in seven games for the Cleveland Indians, finishing with a 2–2 win-loss record and a 3.83 earned run average.

July 29, 2011: Suspension following altercation against Kansas City Royals

On July 29, 2011, Carlos Carrasco was ejected from a game against the Kansas City Royals after throwing a pitch near Billy Butler's head following a grand slam by Melky Cabrera. Consequently, MLB suspended Carrasco for 6 games and issued an undisclosed fine for his actions.

April 9, 2013: Ejection and Suspension following start against Yankees

On April 9, 2013, Carlos Carrasco made his first start following Tommy John surgery but struggled against the New York Yankees, allowing seven runs. After giving up a home run to Robinson Canó, Carrasco hit Kevin Youkilis with a pitch, leading to his ejection by umpire Jordan Baker and a subsequent eight-game suspension plus a fine from the MLB.

2014: 2014 MLB Season Performance

During the 2014 season, Carlos Carrasco played for the Cleveland Indians, appearing in 40 games, including 14 starts. Throughout this 2014 campaign, he achieved an 8–7 win-loss record, maintained a 2.55 ERA, and recorded 140 strikeouts over 134 innings pitched.

2014: Justin Masterson's Immaculate Inning

In 2014, Justin Masterson became the first pitcher in Cleveland Indians history to throw an immaculate inning, a rare feat that Carlos Carrasco would later replicate in 2017.

April 7, 2015: Contract Extension Signing

On April 7, 2015, Carlos Carrasco signed a four-year contract extension valued at $22 million, which featured additional club options for the 2019 and 2020 seasons.

2016: Carlos Carrasco 2016 Season Summary and Injury

During the 2016 season, Carlos Carrasco dealt with two stints on the disabled list, the latter occurring on September 17 when a line drive fractured his fifth metacarpal bone. This injury prevented him from participating in the 2016 postseason. He concluded his 2016 campaign with an 11–8 win-loss record, a 3.32 ERA, and 150 strikeouts over 146 and 1/3 innings pitched.

July 7, 2017: Immaculate Inning Against the Detroit Tigers

On July 7, 2017, Carlos Carrasco achieved an immaculate inning by striking out all three batters he faced in the fifth inning using only nine pitches. This performance made him the 84th player in Major League Baseball history and the second in Cleveland Indians history to accomplish this feat.

December 6, 2018: Contract Extension with Cleveland

On December 6, 2018, Carlos Carrasco signed a four-year contract extension with his club, securing his role through the 2022 season and including a club option for the 2023 season.

June 5, 2019: Placement on 10-day injured list

On June 5, 2019, Carlos Carrasco was officially placed on the 10-day injured list after the team announced he had been diagnosed with an unspecified blood condition.

2019: Club Option Year

In 2019, the club option year from Carrasco's 2015 contract extension became active as part of his professional employment agreement.

2020: 2020 Season Performance with Cleveland Indians

During the 2020 season, Carlos Carrasco played for the Cleveland Indians, where he pitched in 12 games, achieved a 3–4 win-loss record, maintained a 2.91 ERA, and recorded 82 strikeouts over 68 innings.

2020: Final Club Option Year

The year 2020 represented the final club option year included in the $22 million contract extension signed by Carrasco on April 7, 2015.

January 7, 2021: Trade to the New York Mets

On January 7, 2021, the Cleveland Indians traded Carlos Carrasco and Francisco Lindor to the New York Mets in exchange for Amed Rosario, Andrés Giménez, Josh Wolf, and Isaiah Greene.

2021: Carlos Carrasco's debut season with the New York Mets

During the 2021 season, Carlos Carrasco made his debut with the New York Mets after being activated in late July. His season, which included 12 starts and a 1–5 record with a 6.04 ERA, was widely characterized as both frustrating and discouraging.

July 30, 2022: 100th Career Win

On July 30, 2022, Carlos Carrasco achieved a significant career milestone by securing his 100th career win in Major League Baseball following a successful 4–0 shutout performance against the Miami Marlins.

November 10, 2022: Mets exercise Carrasco's contract option

On November 10, 2022, the New York Mets decided to exercise Carlos Carrasco's $14 million contract option, officially securing him for the 2023 Major League Baseball season.

2022: End of Primary Contract Term

The year 2022 marked the conclusion of the four-year contract extension that Carlos Carrasco signed back on December 6, 2018.

August 29, 2023: Placed on waivers

On August 29, 2023, Carlos Carrasco was placed on waivers by the New York Mets; he went unclaimed by other teams and consequently remained with the organization for the remainder of the season.

2023: Club Option Year

During the year 2023, the club exercised its option regarding Carlos Carrasco's contract, which was originally established as part of his December 6, 2018 agreement.

February 1, 2024: Signing with the Cleveland Guardians

On February 1, 2024, Carlos Carrasco officially signed a minor league contract with the Cleveland Guardians, marking a return to the organization.

February 3, 2025: Signing with the New York Yankees

On February 3, 2025, professional baseball player Carlos Carrasco officially entered into a minor league contract agreement with the New York Yankees organization.