Paul Blackburn's Stats, Metrics, Game Logs, Projections & Rankings
Player profile
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HT/WT6' 1'' , 196 lbs
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Birthdate12/04/1993 (31)
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Draft InfoUndrafted
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StatusInactive
The New York Mets say starting pitcher Paul Blackburn only has a bruise on his right hand after exiting Friday night's start against the hosting San Diego Padres at Petco Park, but he'll undergo further testing on Saturday. Other tests can pick up small fractures that traditional X-rays cannot, so it's important for the Mets to cover their bases on this one after Blackburn was struck by a David Peralta comebacker in the third inning of Friday's game against San Diego. Fantasy managers should deem the hurler day-to-day ahead of his next scheduled appearance, which tentatively lines up on Thursday on the road against the Arizona Diamondbacks. The 30-year-old right-hander has not fared well since landing in Queens, logging a 5.18 ERA, 1.56 WHIP, and 21:7 K:BB over 24 1/3 frames (five starts). Jose Butto would be an option to join New York's rotation if Blackburn needs to go on the injured list.
New York Mets right-hander Paul Blackburn is set to face his old team, the Oakland Athletics, on Tuesday night, and he'll be pretty much a new pitcher when he does. Since being acquired from the A's at the trade deadline at the end of July, Blackburn has altered his pitch mix to emphasize his cutter and changeup at the expense of his four-seam fastball and curveball. In his two starts with the Mets while using the new plan against the Angels and Rockies, Blackburn had a 1.50 ERA over 12 innings with 12 strikeouts and four walks. The cutter is the 30-year-old's best pitch, so the Mets have basically encouraged him to use it more often. The Angels and Rockies are two of the weakest teams in baseball, and he'll get another bottom-feeder on Tuesday in the A's, making Blackburn a fine fantasy streamer in his third start for the Mets.
The New York Mets are finalizing a deal on Tuesday to acquire right-hander Paul Blackburn from the Oakland Athletics, according to sources. At this time, it's unclear what the Mets will send to the A's for Blackburn as they look for more starting pitching depth now that right-hander Kodai Senga (calf) is expected to miss the rest of the season. Blackburn doesn't carry a ton of fantasy appeal to begin with, but the move from one of the worst teams in baseball to a contender in the National League will have his arrow pointing up somewhat. The 30-year-old just returned from a stress fracture in his foot and has gone 4-2 in 2024 with a 4.41 ERA, 1.16 WHIP and a 38:14 K:BB in only nine starts covering 51 innings. He'll have a better offense backing him, but his fantasy ceiling is limited with a career 17.7% strikeout rate in eight big-league campaigns.UPDATE: The Mets sent the A's right-hander Kade Morris, who was considered by MLB Pipeline to be New York's No. 25 prospect.
Oakland Athletics right-hander Paul Blackburn (foot) will be activated from the 15-day injured list on Friday to start against the hosting division-rival Los Angeles Angels, according to manager Mark Kotsay. Blackburn hasn't pitched since May 10 after suffering a right-foot stress reaction, so although the matchup is a juicy one, fantasy managers should still have plenty of hesitation in streaming him. He had a 4.11 ERA in eight starts before suffering his foot injury earlier this year. Kotsay said that Blackburn will be on a pitch count around 65 to 70 pitches, which is another reason to avoid him in fantasy lineups on Friday. The 30-year-old veteran broke out in 2022 and was selected to his first All-Star game and he's developed into a solid starter since that point. His weak 17.8% career strikeout leaves a lot to be desired in fantasy, though, especially while pitching in Oakland.
Oakland Athletics right-hander Paul Blackburn (foot) appeared in relief again in his second minor-league rehab appearance for Triple-A Las Vegas on Sunday and threw gave up no runs on one hit with a walk and a strikeout in just two-thirds of an inning. Blackburn also hit a batter while throwing 23 pitches. The 30-year-old didn't look good in less than an inning of work in his first rehab appearance last week for Single-A Stockton, either, so the A's will surely want to see more from him on his rehab assignment before reinstating him from the 15-day injured list in the second half of the season. Blackburn certainly needs to stretch his arm out more if he's going to rejoin the A's starting rotation. Before his foot injury, he went 3-2 with a 4.11 ERA and 1.15 WHIP with 36 K's and 13 walks over eight starts. He'll be a low-upside, deep-league streaming option when he's back in Oakland.