The Mets are going to designate right-hander Paul Blackburn for task, experiences Anthony DiComo of MLB.com. That would be the corresponding transfer for the promotion of Nolan McLean, a transfer that was beforehand reported.
Blackburn was acquired by the Mets eventually yr’s commerce deadline. On the time, the Mets had misplaced each Kodai Senga and Christian Scott to the injured listing and instantly wanted a little bit of rotation depth. He made 5 begins for the Mets earlier than he himself required a stint on the injured listing. He hit the IL as a result of a proper hand contusion. Whereas on the IL, it was reported that he was coping with a spinal fluid leak in his again. He didn’t make it again off the IL. He underwent a cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) leak restore process in October.
Regardless of the tough touchdown in Queens, the Mets tendered him a contract for 2025, his ultimate arb season earlier than reaching free company. The Mets appeared inquisitive about stockpiling rotation depth. They signed Sean Manaea, Clay Holmes, Frankie Montas and Griffin Canning, including to a rotation combine which already included Senga, David Peterson, Tylor Megill and Blackburn. The Mets and Blackburn prevented arbitration by agreeing to a $4.05MM wage for this yr.
Sadly, it has become one other season marred by accidents and the Mets seemingly by no means had a lot curiosity in placing him again into the rotation. He doubtless would have been off the roster way back if not for different accidents, each to himself and others.
Blackburn began the season on the IL as a result of irritation in his proper knee. He was rehabbing all through Could, earlier than being reinstated from the injured listing in early June. By the center of June, there was reporting that the Mets have been fielding commerce curiosity in Blackburn. On the time, they’d a rotation of Senga, Peterson, Holmes, Canning and Megill, with each Montas and Manaea on rehab assignments. Blackburn seemed to be surplus to necessities. However moments after that report got here out, Senga bought injured and landed on the IL. Megill went on the shelf not lengthy after.
That opened a window for Blackburn to stay round, however then he himself hit the IL once more in early July as a result of a proper shoulder impingement. He started a rehab task in the midst of July and bought as much as 5 innings by his second outing. However the Mets didn’t have a rotation spot for him behind Senga, Manaea, Holmes, Peterson and Montas. They let Blackburn throw just a few extra rehab begins, maybe as a result of they simply wished to maintain him round in case another person bought injured.
In current days, Montas was moved to the bullpen to open a rotation spot for McLean. Blackburn was reinstated from the IL and put within the bullpen as properly. He tossed 5 innings of lengthy reduction on Wednesday after Peterson couldn’t get by the fourth inning. Now, he’s been got rid of the 40-man completely.
This transfer ends an odd Mets tenure for Blackburn. He was technically with the membership for over a yr however solely made 12 appearances in orange and blue. It usually appeared just like the Mets have been on the verge of nudging him out the door earlier than it lastly occurred.
He now heads into DFA limbo. With the commerce deadline having handed, he must be positioned on waivers. There may be just below $1MM left to be paid out on his wage. His frequent accidents doubtless harm his probabilities of being claimed, although he has had some respectable outcomes when wholesome. With the Athletics in 2022 and 2023, he tossed a mixed 215 innings with a 4.35 earned run common. His 20.7% strikeout fee, 7.8% stroll fee and 44.5% floor ball fee have been all pretty near league averages.
These cromulent outcomes absolutely attracted the Mets within the first place however he wasn’t spared the damage bug even in these campaigns. Points together with his proper center finger prevented him from surpassing 115 innings in both of these seasons.
Nonetheless, respectable beginning pitching is tough to seek out after the deadline, so maybe Blackburn will discover some curiosity. If he clears waivers, the Mets will stay on the hook for the remainder of his wage. At that time, one other membership might signal him and pay him the prorated portion of the league minimal wage for any time spent on the roster. That quantity could be subtracted from what the Mets pay.
Photograph courtesy of Jason Parkhurst, Imagn Pictures
