Carrasco (hip) began a rehab assignment Friday with Double-A Akron, covering three innings and striking out three while allowing two earned runs on three hits and no walks.
Carrasco tossed 41 pitches (27 strikes) in the outing, his first since he landed on the 15-day injured list Aug. 9 with a left hip strain. Though the Guardians wouldn't seem to have an opening in the rotation for Carrasco with rookie Joey Cantillo thriving of late as the club's new No. 5 starter in place of the injured Alex Cobb (finger), Cleveland manager Stephen Vogt told MLB.com on Sept. 3 that he still envisions Carrasco returning from the IL as an option to start. Carrasco is still expected to require at least one more rehab start in the minors before the Guardians activate him and make a decision on his role.