Paul Blackburn DVOA, Advanced Stats, & Fantasy Rankings

New York Mets right-hander Paul Blackburn (back) threw to hitters for one inning in a live batting practice session at camp on Tuesday. "I feel like I'm in a good spot right now," Blackburn said. "Just excited to be here, just trying to go day by day, not try to do too much and just slowly progress into the start." The 31-year-old veteran's 2024 season ended early due to a spinal fluid leak that required surgery on Oct. 11, but he's back to throwing now and is working with pitching coach Jeremy Hefner to refine his sinker and sweeper in order to add more run to his sinker and more horizontal movement to his sweeper. Blackburn is competing for a rotation spot with Tylor Megill and Griffin Canning after being limited to 14 starts in 2024 due to injury. Because he's a bit behind in camp, both Megill and Canning figure to be ahead of Blackburn in the rotation competition.

New York Mets right-hander Paul Blackburn (back), who required surgery in October of last year to fix a leak around his spinal cord, is a little bit behind the rest of the team's pitching at the start of spring training, according to The Athletic's Will Sammon and Tim Britton. Blackburn will be competing primarily with Griffin Canning and Tylor Megill for the sixth and final spot in New York's starting rotation to begin the year. Canning and Blackburn have the advantage over Megill because they don't have any minor-league options remaining, but Blackburn's back injury could hurt his chances. The 31-year-old make only five starts for the Mets in the second half after they acquired him from the A's at the trade deadline, and he stumbled to a 5.18 ERA and 1.56 WHIP in 24 1/3 innings. Blackburn has never thrown more than 111 1/3 innings in the big leagues and could be a piggyback option even if he wins a rotation spot.

New York Mets right-hander Paul Blackburn (back), who had surgery on Oct. 11 to fix a spinal fluid leak in his back, is on track to be healthy and ready to roll for Opening Day in 2025, according to president of baseball operations David Stearn. The front-office executive also said that the Mets view Blackburn as a starter, but he can also pitch out of the bullpen if needed. It sounds like the Mets could very easily use Blackburn in a swing role next year, especially after already adding right-handers Frankie Montas and Clay Holmes, the latter of which is expected to move from a relief to starting role in 2025. The 31-year-old began the year with the Athletics in 2024 before being acquired by the Mets in a trade at the deadline. The former first-rounder went a combined 5-4 with a 4.66 ERA and 1.29 WHIP with a 59:21 K:BB in 75 1/3 frames over 14 starts. He'll only be relevant in fantasy in a starting role for the Mets.