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

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.

Oakland Athletics right-hander Ross Stripling (elbow) came away from his first minor-league rehab start with Single-A Stockton on Tuesday feeling healthy. His next rehab outing is expected to come with Stockton on Sunday. Right-hander Paul Blackburn (foot) also came away feeling healthy from his first rehab outing with Stockton on Tuesday, and his next appearance will also come with Stockton on Sunday. Stripling is recovering from a right elbow flexor strain, while Blackburn is rehabbing from a right foot stress reaction. Barring setbacks, both pitchers should rejoin Oakland's starting rotation later this month, although neither have much upside for fantasy managers with the lowly A's. Stripling gave up two runs in just two-thirds of an inning on Tuesday, while Blackburn also went just two-thirds of an inning and gave up three earned runs with Stockton.

Both right-handers Ross Stripling (elbow) and Paul Blackburn (foot) had uneven performances in their minor-league rehab appearances for Single-A Stockton on Tuesday night. Stripling started the game and gave up two runs (one earned) on two hits (one homer) while walking one and striking out one in just two-thirds of an inning. Blackburn, meanwhile, came on in relief and also only went two-thirds of a frame, allowing three earned runs on two hits while walking two and fanning one. Both pitchers failed to even reach the 30-pitch mark. Stripling and Blackburn should advance up the minor-league ladder for their next rehab starts, but neither middling hurler will probably be ready to rejoin Oakland's rotation for the start of the second half of the season. Blackburn is probably the more attractive streaming option in deep fantasy leagues when healthy, but neither has much upside at all.