Updated Post: 14:03, 5/31/25:
Paul Blackburn will come off the injured list and make his season debut against the Dodgers Monday in Los Angeles, according to Carlos Mendoza.
Blackburn made six rehab starts between High-A and Triple-A, combining for a 3.08 ERA and 31 strikeouts. The righty’s last major league start came on August 23 against the Padres, where he allowed five earned runs and two homers in 2 1/3 innings pitched. The start before that came against the Marlins August 18, where he pitched six innings and allowed only one earned run.
Original Post
Mets manager Carlos Mendoza offered updates on the statuses of left-handed pitcher Sean Manaea and right-handed pitcher Paul Blackburn as they recover from their respective injuries.
Photo by Ed Delany of Metsmerized
Per MLB.com’s Anthony DiComo, Mendoza mentioned that Blackburn is “in play” to be activated off the 15-day injured list and start for the Mets at some point during their upcoming four-game series on the road against the Los Angeles Dodgers, which begins on June 2. The 31-year-old completed his final rehab outing for Triple-A Syracuse on Wednesday, going 6 1/3 innings while allowing two earned runs and racking up four strikeouts vs. the Iowa Cubs.
Blackburn has not appeared in a major league game this season after being placed on the IL with right knee inflammation on March 27. His road to recovery was interrupted by a stomach bug in late April, but he’s finally on the precipice of returning to the Mets.
New York acquired Blackburn at last year’s trade deadline from the Athletics in exchange for right-handed pitching prospect Kade Morris. He owned a 5.18 ERA in five starts for the club before a hand injury and spinal fluid leak in his back prematurely ended his campaign, preventing him from pitching in both September and the playoffs.
Photo by Ed Delany of Metsmerized
Additionally, Mendoza stated that Manaea threw 20 pitches during a live batting practice session on Thursday while also tacking on 15 pitches in the bullpen. He added that the veteran southpaw will face hitters again before setting out on a rehab assignment at the beginning of June.
Manaea is currently on the 60-day IL with an oblique strain that he sustained during spring training. The 33-year-old was a revelation for the Mets last season, posting a 3.47 ERA, 3.83 FIP and 184 strikeouts in 32 starts and 181 2/3 innings before re-signing with the team as a free agent on a three-year, $75 million deal.
