PAUL BLACKBURN NEWS

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

Friday rehab start postponed Blackburn (finger) saw his scheduled Friday rehab start for Triple-A Las Vegas postponed because of the blister he developed during his previous outing Sunday, the team's official...

Impact The right-hander continues to play catch for the time being, but manager Mark Kotsay says there is no current timetable for his next rehab start. Blackburn had worked up to 62 pitches in Sunday's outing, but the setback and time off between starts appears likely to delay his big-league season debut into May.

APRIL 22, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Developed blister in rehab start Athletics manager Mark Kotsay told reporters before Monday's game against the Cubs that Blackburn came away from his rehab start for Triple-A Las Vegas on Sunday with a blister on...

Impact Gallegos struggled in the outing while allowing four runs over 2.2 innings against Triple-A Salt Lake, and the blister likely played a part in it. The right-hander may need to miss his next scheduled outing with the Aviators, and this could bump Blackburn's return to the Oakland rotation to the start of May at the earliest.

APRIL 17, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Struggles in latest rehab start Blackburn (finger) allowed four earned runs on six hits and two walks over 2.2 innings in Triple-A Las Vegas' win over Salt Lake on Sunday. He struck out three.

Impact Blackburn worked up to 62 pitches, but with only 37 finding the strike zone, it's evident that was largely due to control issues. The right-hander surrendered a two-run home run to Mickey Moniak among his six hits, and he's now allowed seven runs (six earned) on 15 hits and three walks across 7.1 frames in his three rehab appearances. Blackburn likely lines for at least one more start with the Aviators before he's deemed fit for his 2023 big-league debut.

APRIL 17, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Sharp in rehab start Blackburn (finger) covered three shutout innings in his rehab start Tuesday with Triple-A Las Vegas, scattering two hits and issuing no walks in the 34-pitch outing.

Impact Blackburn didn't strike out any batters in the rehab start, but making bats miss typically isn't part of his game plan for success even when he's not building back up from an injury. Since opening the season on the 15-day injured list with a right middle fingernail avulsion, Blackburn has made two rehab starts, but he'll likely need to increase his pitch count to the 75-to-90 range over the course of one or two more minor-league outings before he's cleared to join the Oakland rotation.

APRIL 13, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Another rehab outing on tap Blackburn (finger) will make his next minor-league rehab start Tuesday with Triple-A Las Vegas, Martin Gallegos of MLB.com reports.

Impact The right-hander threw 40 pitches over 1.2 innings during his first rehab start Friday, and he's scheduled to progress to about 45 pitches or three innings Tuesday. Blackburn will likely require another minor-league start or two beyond that outing before being build up enough to join the A's.

APRIL 8, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Pitches to contact in first rehab Blackburn (finger) allowed three runs (two earned) on seven hits and a walk over 1.2 innings in Single-A Stockton's loss to Modesto on Friday.

Impact Making his first rehab start, Blackburn labored through 40 pitches, with only 22 finding the strike zone. The right-hander did exceed his pitch-count target (35) due to his struggles, but it was a rough landing all the way around to begin his rehab assignment. Given his struggles, it remains to be seen whether Blackburn will move to a higher-level affiliate for his next minor-league start.

APRIL 8, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Rehab start coming Friday Blackburn (finger) will make a rehab start Friday for Low-A Stockton, Matt Kawahara of the San Francisco Chronicle reports.

Impact Blackburn said that his finger is "totally healed" so it's now about the right-hander building up his endurance to rejoin the Oakland rotation. He also noted that he'll join Triple-A Las Vegas after the rehab start -- assuming everything goes well -- and build up to five innings. There's a very good chance Blackburn is starting games for the A's before the end of April.

APRIL 4, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Throws 40 pitches in side session Blackburn (finger) threw 40 pitches in Monday's side session, and will head to Low-A Stockton to begin a rehab assignment shortly, Martin Gallegos of MLB.com reports.

Impact The right-hander threw two "double up" sessions while throwing 20 in each. Blackburn is currently on the injured list with a right middle fingernail avulsion. It's possible that he will need to make multiple rehab starts because he hasn't been on the mound since early in March, but Blackburn should be able to rejoin the Oakland rotation by the end of April if there are no setbacks.

APRIL 3, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Placed on 15-day IL Blackburn was placed on the 15-day injured list by the Athletics on Thursday with a right middle fingernail avulsion.

Impact Blackburn returned to throwing off a mound a few days ago and might not miss much time. With the right-hander sidelined, the A's are rolling with youngster Kyle Muller on Opening Day.

MARCH 30, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Throwing off mound Monday Blackburn (finger) is slated to throw off a mound Monday after his flat-ground session Thursday went well, the team's official site reports.

Impact Manager Mark Kotsay noted that Blackburn was able to spin some curveballs during the flat-ground session without issue. Consequently, Monday's activity is considered the next step in the natural progression of his recovery. If the right-hander emerges from Monday's session without setbacks, a firmer regular-season debut date could come into focus.

MARCH 27, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Ruled out for Opening Day Blackburn (finger) will begin the season on the injured list, Matt Kawahara of the San Francisco Chronicle reports.

Impact Blackburn is dealing with a fingernail avulsion on his pitching hand. He is still able to play catch but has to wait for the injury to heal to do anything else, and evidently the Athletics anticipate that taking awhile. It's not clear at this point how long Blackburn might be sidelined.

MARCH 17, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Opening Day in jeopardy Blackburn might not be ready for Opening Day due to a fingernail avulsion on his pitching hand, Martin Gallegos of MLB.com reports.

Impact Blackburn is still able to play light catch, but he'll have to wait for the nail to heal before he can do anything else. The injury appears unrelated to the flexor tendon sheath tear in his right middle finger which ended his 2022 campaign. If healthy, Blackburn might be the Athletics' Opening Day starter.

MARCH 14, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Enhancing pitch arsenal in spring Blackburn, whose 2022 season ended in August due to a finger injury, has been working on refining his changeup this spring, Martin Gallegos of MLB.com reports. "It gives me another...

Impact Blackburn was a first-time All-Star in 2022 despite seeing his career-best season cut short, but it's that injury that has partly inspired his desire to refine his changeup for more frequent use against right-handed hitters. Gallegos notes the physical limitations the right-hander had with respect to throwing all his pitches most of the offseason -- he was only able to use his fastball and changeup for an extended stretch -- led to him tinkering with the latter after only throwing it on 43 occasions during same-handed matchups in 2022. Blackburn didn't have much success with the offering in his first taste of game action since last August on Sunday against the Reds, however, with Blackburn noting a good number of his changeups went "straight into the ground" despite a couple of others prompting swings and misses.

MARCH 7, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Finger no longer an issue Blackburn (finger) enters spring training fully healthy after his 2022 season ended due to a tear of the flexor tendon sheath in his right middle finger, Martin Gallegos of MLB.com...

Impact "I feel really good right now," Blackburn said Wednesday, adding that he's been pain-free since beginning a throwing program two months ago. Blackburn made the All-Star team in 2022 after posting a 3.62 ERA in 18 first-half starts, but he really struggled in three second-half outings before the injury. The 29-year-old's fantasy ceiling is quite limited since he plays for the A's and doesn't get strikeouts, but he could still be a solid innings-eater if he stays healthy.

FEBRUARY 16, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Healthy, 'more confident' Blackburn eager to follow '22 breakout MESA, Ariz. -- Paul Blackburn seemingly proved himself to the baseball world in the early part of 2022 with a dazzling first half that lande...

FEBRUARY 16, 2023 • MLB.COM

Receives $1.9 million for 2023 Blackburn (finger) agreed to a one-year, $1.9 million contract with the A's on Friday to avoid arbitration, Susan Slusser of the San Francisco Chronicle reports.

Impact Blackburn enjoyed a breakout early in 2022 with a 2.26 ERA through his first 13 starts, but he struggled after he suffered a finger injury in July before being shut down for the season. The 29-year-old should be healthy for the start of spring training and will open 2023 as a key piece in Oakland's rotation.

JANUARY 13, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Athletics face the Angels leading series 1-0

The Oakland Athletics face the Los Angeles Angels, leading the series 1-0

OCTOBER 4, 2022 • ASSOCIATED PRESS