Paul Blackburn's Stats, Metrics, Game Logs, Projections & Rankings

New York Mets right-hander Paul Blackburn (back, hand) isn't feeling much better after being scratched from his scheduled start this week due to a new back injury, so he will not return from the injured list this weekend to pitch against the division-rival Philadelphia Phillies, according to manager Carlos Mendoza. Right-hander Tylor Megill, who was lights-out in place of Blackburn on Monday against the Washington Nationals, will get at least another start and is in line to face the Phillies on Sunday. Megill won't be as nice of a streaming option if he faces the Phillies in the series finale on Sunday, but he could also get flipped to Monday in what would be a rematch of the Nats. Blackburn hasn't looked great since being acquired from the A's and hasn't pitched Aug. 23, when he took a comebacker off his hand. It's unclear at the moment how much longer Blackburn will be out as the Mets look to secure a playoff spot.

New York Mets right-hander Paul Blackburn (back, hand) was originally expected to come off the 15-day injured list to start on Monday in Toronto against the Blue Jays, but those plans were scrapped due to a back issue, and Blackburn will not pitch in the series in Toronto this week. Right-hander Tylor Megill made the spot start on Monday and tossed six shutout innings with two walks and nine strikeouts in a tough-luck no-decision. The Mets will see if Blackburn improves in the next couple of days, according to manager Carlos Mendoza. A comebacker to his right pitching hand put the 30-year-old on the IL on Aug. 25, but now he could be in danger of missing the rest of the 2024 regular season if his back injury is serious enough. The Mets could definitely use Blackburn as they try to sneak into the National League playoffs as a wild-card team, although he's been pretty lackluster since joining the Mets via trade.

New York Mets right-hander Paul Blackburn (hand), who was originally scheduled to come off the 15-day injured list to make the start on Monday against the Toronto Blue Jays at the Rogers Centre, will no longer start, according to the team. Instead, right-hander Tylor Megill is the team's new probable starter. It's unclear if Blackburn has had a setback with his hand, but if he hasn't, the 30-year-old veteran could just be pushed back a day as a precaution. Blackburn suffered a right-hand bruise several weeks ago on a comebacker but is close to rejoining the Mets' starting rotation. Since coming over from the Oakland Athletics in a trade, Blackburn has been an unreliable fantasy streamer, going 1-2 with a 5.18 ERA and 1.56 WHIP with 21 strikeouts and seven walks in 24 1/3 innings over his five starts. He'll be a shaky deep-league streamer if he rejoins the rotation this week in Toronto.