Notes: Lucchesi optioned; deGrom bats 8th

NEW YORK -- A day after his latest abbreviated start in Chicago, Joey Lucchesi became a casualty of the Mets’ roster manipulation when the team optioned him to its alternate training site. Because they have two off days next week, the Mets don’t need a fifth starter again until May 4, which made Lucchesi expendable.

Rather than use him in shorter stints out of the bullpen, the Mets chose to send Lucchesi to Brooklyn, where he will remain stretched out as a starter. But it might be a while before he’s needed. Carlos Carrasco is nearing a return from a torn right hamstring, and although the Mets are not putting a timetable on Carrasco’s return, it’s possible he could be ready by the first week of May. Carrasco is due to pitch at least five innings in a simulated game on Saturday, and he will have time for an additional rehab outing before May 4.

Whether he’ll be ready to return at that time remains to be seen. For now, the Mets simply want to keep Lucchesi stretched out, since they won’t need him to start anytime soon. The team recalled left-hander Stephen Tarpley to replace Lucchesi on the roster.

“Joey’s going to be back,” general manager Zack Scott said. “He’s going to help us, no doubt. Keeping him stretched out -- whether for a starting role down the road or for a long relief role -- that’s definitely part of it. But it’s really about where we are in the schedule and some of the off days coming up, and whether we’re going to need a fifth starter in the next 10 days or so.”

If weather or some other factor changes the equation, the Mets also have Jordan Yamamoto stretched out at their alternate site, ready to start if needed.

Lucchesi lasted just three innings apiece in his first two starts as a Met, allowing three runs in both of them. He fared better in his season debut out of the bullpen, throwing two scoreless innings. Overall, Lucchesi is 0-1 with a 6.75 ERA.

Tarpley has been up to the Mets twice already, though he has yet to appear in a game. The lefty owns a 6.65 career ERA for the Yankees and Marlins.

Maybe next time, he’ll lead off
The Mets batted the pitcher eighth on Friday for the first time in three seasons. With regular catcher James McCann receiving a routine day off, manager Luis Rojas bumped hot-hitting Jacob deGrom up to eighth in the lineup and slotted backup catcher Tomás Nido ninth. deGrom entered the night batting .571, with twice as many hits (four) as any other big-league pitcher.

Under former manager Mickey Callaway in 2018, the Mets routinely batted their pitcher eighth, including on Opening Day. But they have not done so since deGrom last batted eighth on Sept. 26 of that year.

Back at the hot corner
Hours before Friday’s game, J.D. Davis spent time taking extra infield practice at third base. Rojas started him at the position following a one-game hiatus, after Davis committed three errors in two games this week in Chicago.

The Mets consider Davis their starting third baseman despite his defensive struggles.

“I just check on him and say, ‘How are you?’" Rojas said. “He’s giving me the same attitude, the same look.”

From the trainer’s room
Brandon Nimmo was also back in the Mets’ lineup after a bout of right hip stiffness knocked him out of it the previous two nights. The Mets did not write Nimmo’s name onto the lineup card until he reported to Citi Field and went through a battery of tests, including swinging and running drills.

“The stiffness has gone down considerably,” Rojas said.

Lugo progressing
Seth Lugo began throwing bullpen sessions this week in Port St. Lucie, Fla. as he continues to work back from February elbow surgery. The Mets still expect Lugo back at some point in May.

Also progressing is Noah Syndergaard (recovery from Tommy John surgery), who remains on a mid-June timetable. Dellin Betances (right shoulder impingement) is working on strengthening that joint and could be out for some time.

Closest to a return is reliever Drew Smith (right shoulder soreness), who threw live batting practice earlier this week. That is typically a pitcher’s final hurdle before game action. “Definitely feeling better and ready to be back,” Smith said in a text.