Suspension still hanging over Carrasco; no harm no foul; Soto pitching in WBC

  Carlos Carrasco still has a six-game suspension hanging over his head from throwing at the head of Billy Butler of the Royals on July 29, 2011.
   The suspension was never served because a serious injury forced Carrasco to undergo elbow reconstruction surgery in September, 2011. Having recovered fully, Carrasco is considered the frontrunner to win the final spot in the rotation but still faces the prospect of dealing with the suspension.
“”I don’t know what’s going to happen,’’ Francona said, hoping that after so much time has elapsed the term of the punishment will change.
   Most pitchers did not want to throw over the top of protective “”L’’ screens for batting practice because it restricts their arm movement.
   No casualties were reported, but Justin Masterson and Vinnie Pestano were tagged in the leg with batted balls and didn’t flinch.
  “”Somebody took one off the heel, but it was no big deal,’’ Francona said. “”I think they all get more out of it without the screens, and the drill is for the pitchers.’’
  Giovanni Soto moved from the provisional list to becoming a member of Team Puerto Rico for the World Baseball Classic tournament that begins in early March.