Paul Blackburn - MLB News, Rumors, & Updates

City switcher: Clay Holmes confident and excited about move from bullpen to rotation with NY Mets

After spending six years in the bullpen, Clay Holmes is confident he can become an effective starting pitcher for the New York Mets and he's excited about the change

DECEMBER 18 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

Discussion with Mets about converting Clay Holmes into a starter began at GM meetings last month

The New York Mets began discussions about signing Clay Holmes as a starter at the general managers meetings last month

DECEMBER 11 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

On track for Opening Day General manager David Stearns said Monday that Blackburn (back) is on track to be ready for Opening Day of the 2025 season, Tim Healey of Newsday reports.

Impact Blackburn was diagnosed with a cerebrospinal fluid leak in mid-September, which required him to undergo surgery Oct. 11. Barring any setbacks, the timeline for that surgery typically takes 4-to-5 months, and based on Stearns comments Monday, it appears the 31-year-old right-hander will be ready to pitch for the start of the 2025 regular season. Blackburn started in 14 regular-season games between the Mets and A's last season and posted a 5-4 record with a 4.66 ERA, 1.29 WHIP and 59:21 K:BB accross 75.1 innings, though whether he works out of the Mets' rotation or bullpen next year has yet to be determined.

DECEMBER 9 • ROTOWIRE

Mets pitcher Paul Blackburn had a procedure to repair leaking spinal fluid, team says

New York Mets pitcher Paul Blackburn had a procedure this month to repair leaking spinal fluid

OCTOBER 22 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

Mets RHP Paul Blackburn has spinal procedure, out 4-5 months New York Mets right-hander Paul Blackburn underwent a procedure to repair a cerebrospinal fluid leak earlier this month and will be sideline...

OCTOBER 22 • SACBEE.COM

Out 4-to-5 months after surgery Blackburn underwent surgery Oct. 11 to repair a cerebrospinal fluid leak, Will Sammon of The Athletic reports.

Impact Per the Mets, it's a procedure which typically carries a return to play timeline of 4-to-5 months. That would seemingly give Blackburn a shot to be ready in time for Opening Day, provided there are no setbacks along the way. If healthy, Blackburn should open the 2025 season in the Mets' rotation. He held a 4.66 ERA and 59:21 K:BB over 75.1 innings covering 14 starts between the Athletics and Mets in 2024.

OCTOBER 22 • ROTOWIRE

Moved to 60-day IL Blackburn (back) was transferred to the 60-day injured list Saturday, per MLB's transaction log.

Impact Blackburn was placed on the 15-day injured list in late August due to a hand injury. He subsequently suffered a back issue and was diagnosed with a spinal fluid leak in mid-September. Blackburn's move to the 60-day IL officially ends his 2024 season. The transaction also clears way on the Mets' 40-man roster for Kodai Senga, who was activated from the 60-day IL in a corresponding move and is set to start Game 1 of the NLDS against the Phillies.

OCTOBER 5 • ROTOWIRE

Mets RHP Paul Blackburn (spinal leak) done for season New York Mets right-hander Paul Blackburn has been ruled out for the rest of the season due to ongoing issues from a spinal fluid leak, mana...

OCTOBER 2 • SACBEE.COM

Won't return this season Mets manager Carlos Mendoza on Wednesday ruled out Blackburn (back) for the rest of the season, Tim Healey of Newsday reports.

Impact Blackburn had hoped to be available for the Mets at some point during the postseason, but he is still having issues after first experiencing a spinal fluid leak in mid-September. The righty posted a 5.18 ERA over five starts for the Mets after being acquired at the trade deadline. He'll be eligible for salary arbitration for a final time this winter.

OCTOBER 2 • ROTOWIRE

Mets rookie Christian Scott to undergo Tommy John surgery, out until 2026

New York Mets rookie right-hander Christian Scott is scheduled to undergo Tommy John surgery next week and is expected to miss the entire 2025 season

SEPTEMBER 18 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

Hopes to return next week Blackburn (back) will play catch Wednesday and hopes to return to the Mets as soon as the middle of next week, Anthony DiComo of MLB.com reports.

Impact Blackburn is dealing with a spinal fluid leak but is feeling better after being given about 10 platelet-rich plasma injections. The right-hander hasn't pitched in two weeks, and that, combined with how well the Mets' rotation is currently pitching, means that Blackburn would likely return as a reliever, if he does make it back.

SEPTEMBER 18 • ROTOWIRE

Alonso and Acuña power Mets past Nationals 10-1 to increase wild card lead

Pete Alonso homered and drove in five runs, Luisangel Acuña added his first major league longball to cap a huge night at the plate, and the New York Mets routed the Washington Nati...

SEPTEMBER 18 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

Diagnosed with spinal fluid leak President of baseball operations David Stearns said Saturday that Blackburn has a spinal fluid leak in his back, Tim Britton of The Athletic reports.

Impact The Mets aren't sure exactly how Blackburn suffered the injury, but the team is shutting him down for the time being. Stearns noted that the right-hander's injury isn't expected to be a long-term issue, though there's no telling how long he will be held out.

SEPTEMBER 14 • ROTOWIRE

Out through this weekend Mets manager Carlos Mendoza said Tuesday that Blackburn (hand/back) isn't feeling much better and won't pitch against the Phillies this weekend, Tim Healey of Newsday reports.

Impact The 30-year-old was scheduled to start Monday against the Blue Jays after missing a couple weeks due to a bruised hand, but he ended up being scratched due to back discomfort. It's unclear when Blackburn will be able to return from the injured list at this point, but he'll be sidelined for at least another week.

SEPTEMBER 10 • ROTOWIRE

Mets RHP Paul Blackburn won't pitch against the Blue Jays because of a sore back

New York Mets right-hander Paul Blackburn won’t pitch against the Toronto Blue Jays this series because of a sore lower back, manager Carlos Mendoza said

SEPTEMBER 9 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

Scratched due to back issue Manager Carlos Mendoza said Monday that Blackburn (hand/back) was scratched from his start Monday against the Blue Jays due to a back issue, Tim Healey of Newsday reports.

Impact Blackburn had been on the injured list since Aug. 25 after taking a comebacker off his pitching hand. He was slated to return from the IL and start Monday, but the 30-year-old is now dealing with a back injury. Mendoza added that the Mets will monitor Blackburn's back over the next couple of days, and the right-hander will not pitch in the upcoming series in Toronto, per Mike Puma of the New York Post.

SEPTEMBER 9 • ROTOWIRE

No longer starting Monday Blackburn (hand) is no longer scheduled to start Monday's game in Toronto, Anthony DiComo of MLB.com reports.

Impact The Mets will give a spot start to Tylor Megill instead. Blackburn could be pushed back a day to start Tuesday in Toronto, although the team has not yet confirmed as much. He's missed the last two weeks with a right hand bruise but tossed 6.2 innings of one-run ball in a rehab start with Triple-A Syracuse last week.

SEPTEMBER 9 • ROTOWIRE

Returning from IL to start Monday Mets manager Carlos Mendoza confirmed that Blackburn (hand) will be activated from the 15-day injured list to start Monday in Toronto, Tyler Antonelle of MetsmerizedOnline.com repo...

Impact Blackburn landed on the IL on Aug. 25 after taking a comebacker off his pitching hand in his start in San Diego two days prior, but he's been given the green light to rejoin the New York rotation after completing a rehab start Tuesday with Triple-A Syracuse. He struck out four while allowing one earned run on four hits and one walk across 6.2 innings in the outing with Syracuse, so Blackburn shouldn't face any workload restrictions when he takes the hill for the Mets on Monday.

SEPTEMBER 7 • ROTOWIRE

Cleared to return next week Blackburn (hand) will rejoin the Mets' rotation early next week in Toronto, Anthony DiComo of MLB.com reports.

Impact The exact date of his return is uncertain, but Blackburn has been cleared to make his next start in the majors after tossing 6.2 innings of one-run ball in a rehab outing with Triple-A Syracuse on Tuesday. He's been out since late August with a right hand contusion.

SEPTEMBER 4 • ROTOWIRE

Sharp in rehab start Blackburn (hand) allowed one run over 6.2 innings in a rehab start with Triple-A Syracuse on Tuesday.

Impact Blackburn needed only 75 pitches to navigate through 6.2 innings. It should be the only rehab outing he needs before rejoining the Mets' rotation, although the exact date of his return hasn't been ironed out yet. Blackburn has missed the last two weeks of action with a right hand bruise.

SEPTEMBER 4 • ROTOWIRE

The Mets place pitcher Paul Blackburn on the 15-day injured list and recall Huascar Brazobán

The New York Mets have placed right-hander Paul Blackburn on the 15-day injured list, two days after he was hit on his pitching hand by a line drive by San Diego’s David Peralta

AUGUST 25 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

Mets place RHP Paul Blackburn (hand) on IL New York Mets right-hander Paul Blackburn landed on the 15-day injured list Sunday with a bruised right hand.Blackburn exited his start on F...

AUGUST 25 • KANSASCITY.COM

PAUL BLACKBURN NEWS

NEWS

BIO

STATS

VIDEOS

GAME LOG

INJURIES

Mets and pitcher Sean Manaea finalize $75 million, 3-year deal

Sean Manaea to re-sign with Mets for $75 million over 3 years, AP source says

Right-hander Griffin Canning and Mets agree to $4.25 million, 1-year contract

City switcher: Clay Holmes confident and excited about move from bullpen to rotation with NY Mets

Discussion with Mets about converting Clay Holmes into a starter began at GM meetings last month

Mets pitcher Paul Blackburn had a procedure to repair leaking spinal fluid, team says

Mets rookie Christian Scott to undergo Tommy John surgery, out until 2026

Alonso and Acuña power Mets past Nationals 10-1 to increase wild card lead

Mets RHP Paul Blackburn won't pitch against the Blue Jays because of a sore back

The Mets place pitcher Paul Blackburn on the 15-day injured list and recall Huascar Brazobán