General manager David Stearns said Monday that Blackburn (back) is on track to be ready for Opening Day of the 2025 season, Tim Healey of Newsday reports.
Blackburn was diagnosed with a cerebrospinal fluid leak in mid-September, which required him to undergo surgery Oct. 11. Barring any setbacks, the timeline for that surgery typically takes 4-to-5 months, and based on Stearns' comments Monday, it appears the 31-year-old right-hander will be ready to pitch for the start of the regular season. Blackburn started 14 regular-season games between the Mets and A's last season and posted a 5-4 record with a 4.66 ERA, 1.29 WHIP and 59:21 K:BB across 75.1 innings, though whether he works out of the Mets' rotation or bullpen next year has yet to be determined.
Mets' Paul Blackburn: Out up to five months post-surgery
Rotowire
Blackburn underwent surgery Oct. 11 to repair a cerebrospinal fluid leak, Will Sammon of The Athletic reports.
Per the Mets, it's a procedure which typically carries a return to play timeline of 4-5 months. That would seemingly give Blackburn a shot to be ready in time for Opening Day, provided there are no setbacks along the way. If healthy, Blackburn should open the 2025 season in the Mets' rotation. He held a 4.66 ERA and 59:21 K:BB over 75.1 innings covering 14 starts between the Athletics and Mets in 2024.
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Mets' Paul Blackburn: Moved to 60-day IL
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Blackburn (back) was transferred to the 60-day injured list Saturday, per MLB's transaction log.
Blackburn was placed on the 15-day injured list in late August due to a hand injury. He subsequently suffered a back issue and was diagnosed with a spinal fluid leak in mid-September. Blackburn's move to the 60-day IL officially ends his 2024 season. The transaction also clears way on the Mets' 40-man roster for Kodai Senga, who was activated from the 60-day IL in a corresponding move and is set to start Game 1 of the NLDS against the Phillies.
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Mets' Paul Blackburn: Won't return this season
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Mets manager Carlos Mendoza said Wednesdaythat Blackburn (back) won't pitch at any point during the postseason, Tim Healey of Newsday reports.
Blackburn had hoped to be available for the Mets at some point during the playoffs, but he is still having issues after first experiencing a spinal fluid leak in mid-September. The righty posted a 5.18 ERA over five starts for the Mets after being acquired from the Athletics at the trade deadline. He'll be eligible for salary arbitration for a final time this winter.
Blackburn (back) will play catch Wednesday and hopes to return from the 15-day injured list as soon as the middle of next week, Anthony DiComo of MLB.com reports.
Blackburn is dealing with a spinal fluid leak but is feeling better after being given about 10 platelet-rich plasma injections. The right-hander hasn't pitched in two weeks, and the layoff, combined with how well the members of New York's rotation are currently pitching, means that Blackburn would likely return as a reliever once he's activated.
Mets' Paul Blackburn: Diagnosed with spinal fluid leak
Rotowire
President of baseball operations David Stearns said Saturday that Blackburn has a spinal fluid leak in his back, Tim Britton of The Athletic reports.
The Mets aren't sure exactly how Blackburn suffered the injury, but the team is shutting him down for the time being. Stearns noted that the right-hander's injury isn't expected to be a long-term issue, though there's no telling how long he will be held out.
