NEW YORK — The Mets designated pitcher Paul Blackburn for assignment late Friday, according to a source, likely ending the right-hander’s rocky tenure with the club.
The move — which has yet to be confirmed by the team — removes Blackburn from the club’s 40-man roster, clearing space for the Mets to add rookie Nolan McLean, who is slated to start Saturday against the Mariners.
Blackburn, 31, came to the Mets at the 2024 Trade Deadline, making five starts before landing on the injured list with a bruised right hand. While sidelined, he was diagnosed with a spinal fluid leak in his back, which eventually required surgery and ended his season.
While Blackburn had been set to open this season on the active roster, a bout of right knee inflammation again forced him to the IL. An illness further delayed his comeback, keeping Blackburn out until June. When he returned, the right-hander produced a 7.71 ERA over six appearances before suffering a right shoulder impingement. Once again, Blackburn went on the IL, where he stayed until this week.
In a surprise move, the Mets called Blackburn back up Wednesday, flew him to New York, then leaned on him for five effective relief innings against the Braves. Although Blackburn was unavailable the next two days, New York kept him on the roster, only to DFA him after its 11-9 loss to the Mariners on Friday night at Citi Field.
“It’s been weird,” Blackburn recently said of his season. “That’s all I can really say about it.”
Any team can now claim Blackburn and assume the pro-rated remainder of his $4.05 million salary. He will become a free agent after the season. If he is not claimed off waivers, Blackburn will have the right to declare free agency immediately.
A nine-year veteran, Blackburn spent eight seasons with the A’s before coming to the Mets. He holds a 4.96 career ERA.
