MLB Player News

Mets manager Carlos Mendoza said that Blackburn is likely to move into a relief role after the right-hander started in Monday's 4-3 extra-inning win over the Dodgers, Laura Albanese of Newsday reports.

The Mets opted to go with a six-man rotation this week featuring Blackburn, who was reinstated from the 15-day injured list ahead of Monday's contest to make his 2025 debut with the big club. Despite missing more than two months of action due to right knee inflammation, Blackburn was effective in his start, striking out three batters while scattering three hits and one walk over five scoreless innings. The performance apparently won't be enough to compel the Mets to keep Blackburn around in the rotation, as off days the next two Mondays will create a built-in rest day for each for the team's five starters and will lessen the need for a sixth starter. The Mets have a stretch of 13 games in 13 days from June 17 through June 29 in which they could look to add a sixth starter back into the mix, but Frankie Montas (lat) could be ready to return from the 60-day IL by then and may be prioritized over Blackburn.

May allowed two runs on six hits and two walks while striking out five batters over six innings in a no-decision against the Mets on Monday.

May gave up a homer to Francisco Lindor on his second pitch of the game but sailed pretty smoothly thereafter, allowing just one additional run over his six frames. The right-hander tossed an efficient 88 pitches (58 strikes) but induced just five whiffs, though he did manage a respectable five punchouts. May has recorded a quality start in three of his past five outings and has a 3.77 ERA during that span. He's lined up to make his next start on the road against St. Louis.

Blackburn pitched five scoreless innings in a no-decision against the Dodgers on Monday, allowing three hits and issuing one walk while striking out three batters.

Blackburn was activated from the injured list Monday afternoon after missing over two months to begin the campaign due to a knee injury. The veteran right-hander faced a tough task on the road against one of the league's top offenses, but he shined with five scoreless frames during which he didn't allow any extra-base hits. Blackburn was in line for the win upon his departure, but the game ended up going to an extra frame after Edwin Diaz blew a save chance in the ninth frame. Blackburn was able to toss 77 pitches (49 strikes) in his season debut, so his limitations weren't major despite the extended time off. He's lined up to face the Rockies in Colorado in his next start.

Flaherty (4-6) earned the win Monday against the White Sox after allowing one run on four hits and one walk in six innings. He struck out four.

While Flaherty did match a season low in punchouts, he mostly cruised while delivering his third quality start in a row. The veteran right-hander has begun to rebound from a shaky start to the season, which saw him produce a 4.61 ERA through his first eight outings, as he owns a sharp 2.22 ERA, 0.82 WHIP and 26:6 K:BB over his last four outings (24.1 innings). Flaherty is set to face a difficult task this weekend versus the Cubs, who boast an .800 OPS against right-handed pitching since the start of May.

Singer (6-4) took the loss Monday against the Brewers after allowing three runs on four hits and three walks in five innings. He struck out four.

It wasn't the most efficient outing by Singer, who needed 97 pitches to cover five innings while issuing at least three walks for the third time in his past four starts. The veteran right-hander hasn't fanned more than four in any of his last seven appearances, during which he owns a lackluster 5.45 ERA, 1.49 WHIP and 21:17 K:BB over 36.1 innings. Things won't get much easier for Singer in his next scheduled start versus the Diamondbacks, who sport a .799 OPS against right-handed pitching for the season.

Civale (1-1) earned the win Monday against the Reds after allowing two runs on seven hits and one walk in 5.1 innings. He struck out five.

Civale has given the Brewers some quality innings since coming off the injured list, having now surrendered five runs over his last 14.1 frames. The veteran right-hander set a new season high in punchouts despite yielding a season-worst seven hits Monday, and he now carries a 3.14 ERA, 1.26 WHIP and 12:4 K:BB across his last three outings. Civale is tentatively lined up to toe the slab this weekend versus the Padres, although it remains to be seen if Brandon Woodruff (ankle) will be ready to make his season debut and potentially change the current arrangement of Milwaukee's rotation.

Severino (1-5) took the loss against Minnesota on Monday, allowing eight runs on nine hits and one walk while striking out one batter over 5.2 innings.

Severino didn't give up any homers, but four of the nine hits against him were doubles. He also didn't miss many bats, notching a modest eight whiffs and just one punchout while throwing 97 pitches. The eight runs were a season-worst mark for the right-hander, who came into Monday having allowed two or fewer runs in three straight outings. Severino will look to bounce back in his next start, which is lined up to be a home matchup versus Baltimore this weekend.

Ryan (6-2) earned the win over the Athletics on Monday, allowing four runs on six hits and three walks while striking out four batters over five innings.

Ryan was provided with a 6-0 lead through two innings, but he nearly gave it all back when the A's scored four runs over the third and fourth frames. The big blow was a three-run homer by Lawrence Butler that was just the second long ball Ryan has given up over his past four outings. Ryan ran into trouble again in the fifth, loading the bases with no outs, but he was able to induce two popouts and a groundout to prevent any runs and end his start on a positive note. Though the right-hander gave up four runs for the first time since yielding six against Atlanta on April 20, he got enough support to pick up his fifth win across his past seven appearances. Ryan has been excellent in that stretch, posting a 2.20 ERA and 0.85 WHIP with a 48:9 K:BB over 41 frames.

Webb pitched eight scoreless innings, allowing six hits and issuing zero walks while striking out seven batters in a no-decision against San Diego on Monday.

Webb allowed two Padres to reach third base over the first three innings, but he was able to bear down and keep either from crossing the plate. The right-hander breezed through the remainder of his outing, retiring 15 of the final 18 batters he faced. Webb recorded his fifth quality start over his past six appearances, but he was denied a win as neither team scored until the 10th frame. Despite settling for a no-decision, Webb continued what has been an outstanding campaign -- he holds a 2.55 ERA, 1.17 WHIP and 91:17 K:BB through 81.1 innings (second-most in the majors) over 13 starts.

Anderson took a no-decision after surrendering five runs on seven hits and two walks while striking out five in 4.1 innings of work during Monday's 7-6 win over the Red Sox.

It has to feel like Anderson missed an opportunity. His team put up six runs before he even took the mound for the first time, but he didn't quite make it through the five requisite innings to qualify for the win and let the Red Sox back in the game in the process. The 35-year-old did keep the ball in the ballpark during Monday's start, just the fourth time in 12 starts that he was able to do so. Anderson's next scheduled start will come against division-rival Seattle at home.