Yankees' Paul Blackburn: Clobbered in Yankees debut
Rotowire
Blackburn tossed 3.1 relief innings against the Red Sox on Saturday, allowing seven runs on eight hits and two walks while striking out two batters. He didn't factor in the decision.
When Blackburn entered in the sixth inning, the Yankees were down but not entirely out, trailing 5-1. The righty did fine by getting to the ninth without giving up any runs, but he was shelled in the final frame, when Boston teed off for seven runs on seven hits against him. Yankees manager Aaron Boone elected to allow Blackburn to essentially take one for the team, as the hurler threw 71 total pitches -- more than starter Will Warren, who tossed 69 pitches over four innings. Needless to say, things couldn't have gone much worse for Blackburn, who was making his debut with the Yankees after the team signed him to a contract Thursday.
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Yankees' Paul Blackburn: Links up with Yankees
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The Yankees signed Blackburn to a one-year contract Thursday.
Blackburn was recently cut loose by the crosstown Mets but has quickly landed on his feet with a new major-league deal. He has struggled during his time at the big-league level this season, posting a 6.85 ERA, 1.65 WHIP and 18:8 K:BB in 23.2 innings. Blackburn will presumably work in long relief for now and offers the flexibility to enter the rotation, should a need arise.
The Mets granted Blackburn his unconditional release Monday, Mike Puma of the New York Post reports.
Blackburn cleared waivers after the Mets removed him from the 40-man roster Saturday, and since he was unlikely to accept an assignment to the minors, the organization has allowed him to test the open market. The 31-year-old right-hander has ample big-league experience with 93 appearances (86 starts) over the past nine seasons, but he struggled over his seven outings (four starts) with New York in 2025, logging a 6.85 ERA, 1.65 WHIP and 18:8 K:BB in 23.2 innings. Blackburn may have a tough time landing a major-league deal in light of his poor production, but his body of work should be enough to earn him a minor-league deal with an organization looking to bolster its starting depth at the Triple-A level.
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Mets' Paul Blackburn: Departing 40-man
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The Mets are expected to designate Blackburn for assignment Saturday, Anthony DiComo of MLB.com reports.
Blackburn has registered a 6.85 ERA and 1.65 WHIP across 23.2 innings with the Mets this season. He's now set to lose his place on the active roster and 40-man roster in order to make room for Nolan McLean, who will be called up from Triple-A Syracuse to start Saturday against the Mariners. It's difficult to envision another team assuming the money remaining on Blackburn's $4.05 million deal for 2025, so he'll most likely go unclaimed off waivers.
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Mets' Paul Blackburn: Provides length in return
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Blackburn (shoulder) struck out three and gave up two earned runs on one hit and one walk over five innings of relief in Wednesday's 11-6 loss to Atlanta.
Activated from the 15-day injured list early in the day after he had been on the shelf since July 3 due to a shoulder impingement, Blackburn was needed for some length out of the bullpen right away when starter David Peterson recorded just 10 outs on 80 pitches (48 strikes). Blackburn had been fully built up as a starter during his minor-league rehab stint, so he was well equipped to handle the heavy workload in relief. With New York moving Frankie Montas to the bullpen to clear a spot in the rotation, Nolan McLean will be called up from Triple-A Syracuse this weekend to serve as the team's new fifth starter. If McLean falters, Blackburn could be next in line to join the rotation.
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Mets' Paul Blackburn: Activated from IL
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The Mets activated Blackburn (shoulder) from the 15-day injured list Wednesday, Laura Albanese of Newsday reports.
Blackburn has made five rehab starts and built up to 97 pitches in his most recent outing last Friday. His return comes at a time of need after manager Carlos Mendoza said Tuesday that Frankie Montas is moving to the bullpen permanently. It's been reported by Andy Martino of SNY.tv that Nolan McLean is expected to be tapped to start in his MLB debut Saturday against the Mariners, but Blackburn also appears ready to rejoin New York's rotation. For now, though, he's likely to be available out of the bullpen.
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Mets' Paul Blackburn: Still no timeline for return
Rotowire
Blackburn (shoulder) threw 5.2 innings in a rehab start for Triple-A Syracuse on Friday, giving up three runs (two earned) on seven hits. He struck out three without walking a batter.
The veteran righty built up to 97 pitches (61 strikes) in the outing, but the Mets still have yet to make a decision on when he will rejoin the big-league roster. Blackburn's rehab assignment ends Aug. 20, so if the team does decide to have him make one more start in the minors, it will be his final one. Over five starts since kicking off his rehab stint July 17, Blackburn's posted a 2.42 ERA, 1.15 WHIP and 25:6 K:BB in 26 innings, and he could represent an upgrade in the New York rotation over Frankie Montas, who has failed to last five innings in three straight trips to the mound while stumbling to a 10.32 ERA.
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Mets' Paul Blackburn: Making another rehab start
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Mets manager Carlos Mendoza said Monday that Blackburn (shoulder) will make another rehab start Friday, Joe Pantorno of amNY.com reports.
Blackburn looks ready to return from the 15-day injured list, having collected a 2.21 ERA, 1.13 WHIP and 22:6 K:BB in 20.1 innings over four rehab starts. However, the Mets aren't ready to remove Frankie Montas from the rotation at this point, so they'll kick the can down the road and have Blackburn make another rehab start. Blackburn has been out since early July with a right shoulder impingement.
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Mets' Paul Blackburn: Completes fourth rehab start
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Blackburn (shoulder) struck out three and allowed two earned runs on six hits and two walks over 5.1 innings Saturday in his rehab start with Triple-A Syracuse.
Blackburn has now compiled a 2.21 ERA, 1.13 WHIP and 22:6 K:BB in 20.1 innings over four rehab starts between stops with Syracuse and the rookie-level Florida Complex League. He's been on the shelf since July 3 due to a right shoulder impingement but has been fully stretched out for over a week now, as he built up to 87 pitches in his previous rehab start before tossing 93 on Saturday. His delayed activation from the 15-day injured list seems to be a result of the Mets buying some time to decide whether he'll be part of the rotation or bullpen upon his return, and Blackburn's odds of returning as a starter may have increased after Sunday's 12-4 loss to the Giants. Frankie Montas was battered for seven earned runs in four innings in the loss and now holds a 6.68 ERA over seven starts on the season, perhaps putting him at risk of losing his spot in the rotation.
Blackburn (shoulder) threw 87 pitches (56 strikes) for Triple-A Syracuse on Sunday, allowing one run on five hits and one walk over 6.1 innings. He struck out six.
The veteran righty has looked good on his rehab stint, and over two appearances for Syracuse he's posted an 11:2 K:BB in 11.1 innings with a 1.59 ERA. While the Mets have Blackburn stretched out for a potential starting role, there doesn't appear to be room for him in the big-league rotation at the moment, and the team won't need a sixth starter until the second half of August due to frequent off days. Frankie Montas could get bumped to a long-relief role, but Blackburn is the more likely candidate to move to the bullpen once he gets activated.
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Mets' Paul Blackburn: Shifting rehab to Triple-A
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The Mets announced that Blackburn (shoulder) is expected to move his rehab assignment to Triple-A Syracuse on Tuesday.
Blackburn is ready for a tougher test after he opened his rehab assignment last Thursday in the rookie-level Florida Complex League, where he struck out eight and allowed one earned run on three hits and two walks over 3.2 innings. Though the Mets appear to be letting Blackburn build up as a starter during his rehab assignment, he could be ticketed for a long-relief role once he's activated from the 15-day injured list.
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Mets' Paul Blackburn: Rehab starting at rookie level
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Blackburn (shoulder) will begin a rehab assignment with the Mets' Florida Complex League affiliate Friday.
A previous report indicated Blackburn's rehab stint would begin at Single-A St. Lucie on Friday, but he'll get his start in the FCL instead. He's expected to be activated from the 15-day injured list in late July, and will likely fill a long relief role with the Mets' rotation nearly at full strength.
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Mets' Paul Blackburn: Ticketed for rehab stint
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Blackburn (shoulder) will throw a bullpen session Sunday before beginning a rehab assignment at Single-A Port St. Lucie after the All-Star break, MLB.com reports.
With Kodai Senga rejoining the rotation Friday and Sean Manaea (elbow/oblique) expected back Sunday, the Mets don't need to rush Blackburn back to patch over holes in the rotation. The 31-year-old right-hander should still be ready to come off the IL in late July, but it will likely be in a long-relief role.
Blackburn (shoulder) played catch out to 75 feet Sunday, MLB.com reports.
After being placed on the injured list Thursday due to a right shoulder impingement, Blackburn was cleared to initiate a throwing program just three days later. Blackburn should have a chance at returning from the IL when first eligible shortly after the All-Star break, but he could be in store for a bullpen role upon his activation. The Mets currently have just three healthy rotation members, but Kodai Senga (hamstring) and Sean Manaea (elbow) both appear poised to return from the IL next weekend in Kansas City.
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Mets' Paul Blackburn: Will resume throwing next week
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Blackburn (shoulder) will be shut down from throwing until early next week, Jorge Castillo of ESPN.com reports.
The veteran right-hander landed on the injured list Thursday due to a shoulder impingement, but the Mets don't seem concerned about the severity of the issue. Blackburn could be ready to rejoin the roster in late July, but he may not have a rotation spot waiting for him if Kodai Senga (hamstring) and Sean Manaea (elbow/oblique) beat him back from the IL.
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