The Yankees and right-hander Paul Blackburn have agreed on a one-year, $2 million contract to keep him in the Bronx, a source told MLB.com’s Mark Feinsand. Feinsand reports the deal includes incentives of $100,000 for reaching 80, 90, 100, 110 and 120 innings pitched. The club has not confirmed the deal.
Blackburn, who turned 32 earlier this month, has been limited by injuries throughout his career. In 2024, he posted a 4.66 ERA over 14 starts between the A’s and Mets, missing time due to foot and hand injuries.
Following the 2024 campaign, Blackburn underwent a procedure to repair a cerebrospinal fluid leak in his back. Last season, he opened the year with the Mets but was released in August after being hampered by knee and shoulder injuries and pitching to a 6.85 ERA.
The Yankees signed Blackburn shortly thereafter and over eight appearances (15 1/3 innings) down the stretch, he had a 5.28 ERA. He struggled in his only postseason outing for New York, surrendering four runs over 1 1/3 innings against the Blue Jays in Game 1 of the American League Division Series.
Blackburn was a first-round pick of the Cubs in 2012, and he was traded to the Mariners in July 2016. Following the ’16 season, Seattle dealt him to the A’s, with whom he made his Major League debut in ’17 and was an All-Star in ’22.
