PAUL BLACKBURN NEWS

Tagged for six runs Blackburn (1-2) allowed six runs on nine hits and two walks while striking out three over 5.2 innings, taking the loss Monday versus the Red Sox.

Impact Blackburn's last outing was a relief appearance versus Boston before the All-Star break. He'll be happy to put the Red Sox in the rear-view mirror, as they've posted eight runs over 6.2 innings against him in those two outings. For the season, the right-hander is at a 5.48 ERA, 1.59 WHIP and 44:15 K:BB through 42.2 innings over nine appearances (eight starts). He'll look to get back on track in a tough projected home start versus the Astros over the weekend.

JULY 18, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Works in relief Sunday Blackburn (illness) was charged with a blown save in Sunday's loss to the Red Sox, allowing two earned runs on three hits and a walk over one inning of relief. He struck out one.

Impact After being scratched from Saturday's start due to illness, Blackburn was afforded some relief work before the All-Star break and didn't fare well. The right-hander needed 39 pitches to get through his one frame, which started off on the wrong foot with a solo home run by Adam Duvall and eventually also included a game-tying Christian Arroyo RBI double. Blackburn will now have several days of rest before returning to action in his usual rotation role, and he'll be aiming to improve on the 5.73 ERA and 1.68 WHIP he's generated over the 22 innings covering his last five appearances (four starts).

JULY 10, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

A's scheduled starter Blackburn scratched because of illness; Pruitt set to take his spot

Oakland Athletics scheduled starting pitcher Paul Blackburn has been scratched because of an illness for Saturday’s game against the Boston Red Sox at Fenway Park

JULY 8, 2023 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

Scratched with illness Blackburn was scratched from his scheduled start Saturday against the Red Sox due to illness.

Impact The fact that Blackburn is dealing with an illness rather than an injury means he's probably not going to miss more than one start, but he'll miss at least one unless he's healthy enough to pitch Sunday and the A's elect to bump JP Sears. Austin Pruitt will be the first pitcher on the hill Saturday in Blackburn's absence.

JULY 8, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Coughs up five runs Blackburn (1-1) allowed five runs on six hits and four walks over five innings Sunday, striking out five and taking a loss against the White Sox.

Impact All five runs charged to Blackburn came during an ugly third inning. After issuing a total of four walks in his previous four starts, he walked a season-high four batters Sunday. He's allowed at least four runs in three of his first seven outings this season, resulting in a 4.50 ERA with a 40:12 K:BB through 36 frames. Blackburn's next outing is lined up to be in Boston.

JULY 3, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Earns first win Blackburn (1-0) allowed a run on four hits and a walk while striking out five over 5.1 innings to earn the win Tuesday over the Yankees.

Impact Blackburn was able to limit the damage to a Josh Donaldson solo home run in the fifth inning. This was his first win in six starts since making his season debut after starting the year on the shelf with a finger injury. He's done a decent job of keeping offense down with a 3.77 ERA, though he has a 1.39 WHIP and 35:8 K:BB over 31 innings overall. Blackburn is lined up for a weekend start at home versus the White Sox.

JUNE 28, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Paul Blackburn pitches Athletics to 2-1 victory over Yankees in Josh Donaldson's return

Paul Blackburn pitched into the sixth inning for Oakland, allowing one run on Josh Donaldson’s homer in his return to the lineup and sending the Athletics to a 2-1 victory over the...

JUNE 28, 2023 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

Fans seven in no-decision Blackburn allowed four runs on nine hits and one walk while striking out seven batters over five innings in a no-decision against Cleveland on Wednesday.

Impact Blackburn was staked to an early four-run lead but couldn't hold it, giving up three runs in the third inning and another in the fourth. The right-hander ended up with his fifth straight no-decision after coming off the injured list to make his season debut May 29. Blackburn notched seven strikeouts Wednesday, continuing a surprising trend that has seen him tally 30 punchouts over 25.2 innings on the campaign. Prior to this season, he had never come close to averaging a strikeout per inning, topping out at a 7.2 K/9 last year. The improved strikeout ability and Blackburn's tolerable 4.21 ERA has given him some mild fantasy value, though he's unlikely to find himself in the win column very often given Oakland's standing as one of the league's worst offensive teams.

JUNE 22, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Blackburn taking reins as leader of A's rotation OAKLAND -- Paul Blackburn had visions of recapturing his first-half success from a year ago that earned him a trip to the All-Star Game. A l...

JUNE 16, 2023 • MLB.COM

Records season-high nine strikeouts Blackburn did not factor into the decision Thursday, allowing three runs on seven hits and one walk over 5.2 innings against the Rays. He struck out nine.

Impact Blackburn got in a jam in the second inning after Harold Ramirez reached on a fielding error by Ryan Noda to lead things off. The right-hander then went on to cough up three straight hits, which brought two runs home, before uncharacteristically striking out the side - all swinging, to get out of the inning. He wasn't quite able to make it through six innings but still managed to post a season-high nine strikeouts on the afternoon en route to his fourth consecutive no-decision. He'll look to earn his first win of the season when the A's travel to Cleveland to take on the Guardians next week.

JUNE 16, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Six scoreless in no-decision Blackburn did not factor into the decision Saturday, allowing four hits and one walk over six scoreless innings in a 2-1 win over Milwaukee. He struck out five.

Impact Blackburn completed a season-high six innings and notched his first scoreless appearance of the year. The 29-year-old's 2023 debut was delayed due to a finger injury, so he's made only three starts thus far with mixed results. He held Atlanta's offense to just one run on four hits over four innings and struck out a season-high six, but he fell flat versus Miami, giving up five runs with a 3:2 K:BB across five innings, before his dominating outing versus Milwaukee on Saturday. Blackburn will look to make it back-to-back quality starts next time out, which is tentatively scheduled for the finale of a four-game set versus Tampa Bay.

JUNE 11, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Tagged for five in no-decision Blackburn did not factor into the decision Sunday, allowing five runs on seven hits and two walks over five innings against the Marlins. He struck out three.

Impact Blackburn held Miami to two runs through four innings before Garrett Cooper blasted a three-run homer in the fifth. Through his first two starts this season, Blackburn's allowed six runs on 11 hits with a 9:4 K:BB over nine innings. He's currently scheduled to face the Brewers in his next outing.

JUNE 4, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Tosses four innings in return Blackburn allowed one run on four hits and two walks over four innings during Monday's win over Atlanta. He struck out six and did not factor in the decision.

Impact Blackburn made his season debut Monday after posting a brutal 7.50 ERA through 18 minor-league rehab innings. After allowing a run in the first inning, he settled in for a strong outing, though he needed 81 pitches to get through four frames. Blackburn forced 12 whiffs, which would tie the second-highest total he produced during the 2022 season. The 29-year-old righty is projected to start in Miami this weekend.

MAY 30, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Activated for season debut Blackburn was activated from the 15-day injured list by the Athletics on Monday.

Impact Blackburn is set to make his season debut for the A's on Monday versus Atlanta after recovering from a cracked fingernail and blister issues. He was up-and-down on his rehab assignment and faces a difficult matchup in his first start back, making Blackburn a pretty easy sit in fantasy leagues for now.

MAY 29, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Braves' Michael Soroka, Athletics' Paul Blackburn set for debuts Atlanta Braves right-hander Michael Soroka and Athletics righty Paul Blackburn are slated to make season debuts Monday afternoon when clubs...

MAY 29, 2023 • KANSASCITY.COM

Braves' Michael Soroka, Athletics' Paul Blackburn set for debuts Atlanta Braves right-hander Michael Soroka and Athletics righty Paul Blackburn are slated to make season debuts Monday afternoon when clubs...

MAY 29, 2023 • SACBEE.COM

Set for Monday start Blackburn (finger) will make his season debut in a start Monday against Atlanta, Alex Espinoza of MLB.com reports.

Impact The right-hander will make his long-awaited first turn of 2023 after overcoming a cracked fingernail and subsequent blister, as well as numerous rocky rehab outings. Blackburn finally appeared to find his foot in a five-inning start for Triple-A Las Vegas against Tacoma on Wednesday, allowing just an earned run over five innings while recording five strikeouts. Blackburn followed it up with a setback-free 25-pitch bullpen session Friday, teeing up Monday's debut. With the 2022 All-Star having worked up to 73 pitches in that most recent appearance for the Aviators, Blackburn shouldn't be on too restrictive a pitch count versus Atlanta.

MAY 27, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Excels in latest rehab start Blackburn (finger) covered five innings Wednesday in his latest rehab start with Triple-A Las Vegas, striking out five while allowing one earned run on five hits and one walk.

Impact Blackburn has resided on the 15-day injured list all season with a right middle fingernail avulsion, but he's now made a total of six starts in the minors over the course of two separate rehab assignments. He was pulled off the first rehab assignment in April after redeveloping a blister, but he's remained free of setbacks and has steadily built back up upon starting a new rehab assignment May 14. After tossing 73 pitches Wednesday and doing well to silence the Triple-A Tacoma bats, Blackburn could be cleared to return from the IL to make his 2023 debut with Oakland. The Athletics will likely re-evaluate him following a bullpen session over the weekend before deciding if he's ready to be activated during the team's upcoming three-game series with Atlanta that begins Monday.

MAY 25, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Another rehab start coming Blackburn (finger), who allowed six runs (four earned) on seven hits and a walk while recording one strikeout over 3.2 innings in his most recent rehab start for Triple-A Las Vegas...

Impact Blackburn hasn't inspired any confidence during his time down on the farm, as he's pitched to a 9.69 ERA across 13 innings over five starts between Single-A Stockton and Las Vegas. The right-hander, a 2022 All-Star selection, did come out of Friday's start without any finger-related issues, but it seems clear the Athletics are more concerned about performance-related issues at the moment.

MAY 21, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Next rehab start set Blackburn (finger) is slated to make another rehab start for Triple-A Las Vegas later in the week, the Associated Press reports.

Impact After a blister and a subsequent brief paternity leave put Blackburn's rehab assignment on hold for just under a month, the right-hander returned to action with the Aviators on Sunday and surrendered four earned runs over two innings and 41 pitches. Nevertheless, manager Mark Kotsay noted he'd received positive reports regarding the outing and confirmed Monday that Blackburn will toe the rubber in the minors again later in the week. If there's an appreciable bump in pitch count and improved performance during that outing, Blackburn may be deemed ready for activation soon thereafter.

MAY 16, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Hit hard in rehab start Blackburn (finger) allowed four earned runs on six hits and a walk over two innings during Triple-A Las Vegas' win over Albuquerque on Sunday. He struck out one.

Impact Blackburn's return to the mound after an extended pause to his rehab assignment featured plenty of rust, as the right-hander was hit hard over 41 pitches. Blackburn was tagged for a pair of home runs by Coco Montes along the way, and he's now carrying a 9.64 ERA and 2.68 WHIP across 9.1 innings down on the farm. Given the 2022 All-Star's poor form in three of his four minor-league starts, it remains to be seen if the Athletics will want to see him turn in at least one confidence-building outing before he's deemed ready for activation.

MAY 15, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Completes side session Thursday Blackburn (finger) threw a side session Thursday and is slated to work up to 45 pitches in a rehab start for Triple-A Las Vegas on Sunday, the team's official site reports.

Impact The right-hander recently returned from a short paternity absence and has also been on the mend from a blister that cut his last rehab start with the Aviators short back on April 16 and led to multiple postponements of subsequent scheduled outings. Blackburn is apparently finally ready to retake the mound as he inches closer to making his delayed 2023 season debut.

MAY 12, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Another rehab start postponed Blackburn's (finger) scheduled rehab start with Triple-A Las Vegas on Saturday has been pushed back due to the impending birth of his child, the team's official site reports.

Impact Blackburn had thrown all his pitches during a bullpen session Wednesday that apparent went well enough to gain him clearance to restart his rehab assignment, but his paternity leave will delay matters by a few more days. Manager Mark Kotsay noted the club will have a better feel for Blackburn's return timeline after his child's birth, and it's possible he makes at least two more starts with the Aviators before being deemed ready for activation.

MAY 6, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Progress in latest bullpen Blackburn (finger) threw all his pitches during a bullpen session Wednesday morning, the Associated Press reports.

Impact The development is naturally an encouraging one for Blackburn after a scheduled rehab start for Triple-A Las Vegas was postponed twice over a three-day period in late April due to a blister. Blackburn is expected to either throw another bullpen or finally restart his rehab assignment with another start for the Aviators in coming days.

MAY 4, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Rehab start postponed again Blackburn's (finger) rehab start scheduled for Sunday was pushed back after experiencing more discomfort with his blister, Martin Gallegos of MLB.com reports.

Impact This is now the second time Blackburn's finger blister has prevented him from making his next rehab start. He worked his way up to 62 pitches in his most recent start last Sunday, but now that he's experienced multiple setbacks, Blackburn may still be a few weeks away from his season debut.

APRIL 27, 2023 • ROTOWIRE