Mets Make Major Pitching Announcement Before Impressive Win Over Red Sox
Barring a setback, former All-Star pitcher Paul Blackburn should rejoin the New York Mets within the next two weeks.
The problem: it's not if Blackburn will face big-league hitters again, but when.
Mets manager Carlos Mendoza told reporters this week that Blackburn would make at least one more rehab start before the club decided on a return date. Blackburn has spent the last month in the minors while recovering from a spring knee injury.
Blackburn seems ready to trade long bus rides for chartered flights. The 2022 AL All-Star threw seven scoreless innings against the Rochester Red Wings (the Minnesota Twins' Triple-A affiliate) on Wednesday night.
Making his sixth rehab start and third with Syracuse, Blackburn allowed a single hit and struck out six over 87 pitches. Mendoza previously said he wanted Blackburn to throw at least 80 pitches.
Blackburn almost certainly met Mendoza's expectations, giving the second-year manager another reason to smile. The Mets ended a three-game losing streak with a 5-1 victory over the Boston Red Sox on Wednesday.
Blackburn owns a 3.91 ERA and a 27-11 K-BB ratio in 23 rehab innings.
Assuming the Mets use Blackburn as a starter, he'll have an early opportunity to put a frustrating 2024 campaign behind him. Blackburn went 1-2 with a 5.18 ERA across five starts and 24.1 innings following a July 30 trade with the Athletics.
Foot and back problems limited Blackburn to only 75.1 innings last year, his fewest in three seasons.
A 2012 first-round pick by the Chicago Cubs, Blackburn is 22-28 with a 4.85 ERA and 3.1 bWAR in 86 games.
Related: Former Cy Young Finalist Has Words for 'Uncomfortable' Juan Soto After Mets Loss
Related: Radio Host Makes Major Aaron Judge Accusation Amid Juan Soto's Actions
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