Mets’ Paul Blackburn to Make At Least One More Rehab Start Before Return
QUEENS, NY — New York Mets pitcher Paul Blackburn will need at least one more rehab appearance before returning to the big-league roster. Manager Carlos Mendoza confirmed on Monday that Blackburn is scheduled to pitch again for Triple-A Syracuse this Friday as part of his recovery from right knee inflammation.
The 31-year-old right-hander made his fourth rehab start — his second in Syracuse — on Sunday. He struggled with command, giving up three runs on four hits, walking three, and striking out two over three innings while throwing 60 pitches.
Mendoza noted last week that the team wants Blackburn to build up to 70 or 75 pitches before evaluating his readiness for a return to the majors.
“Overall, my stuff has been really good,” Blackburn said after his latest outing. “Sunday was just one of those days where I didn’t really have any feel for my offspeed stuff. But my body feels good.”
Blackburn joined the Mets in a trade with the Oakland Athletics at the 2024 deadline. He made just five starts before undergoing back surgery, finishing the season with a 5.18 ERA. Coming into spring training, he was penciled in as a bullpen option after Tylor Megill and Griffin Canning edged him out for rotation spots, replacing injured starters Sean Manaea and Frankie Montas.
Montas is expected to make his Mets debut later this month. Manaea, however, is likely sidelined until June due to an oblique injury. He recently made progress in his recovery, throwing 15 pitches off a mound on Sunday — his first time doing so since being shut down during spring training.
Blackburn’s next rehab outing will be a key step as the Mets continue to monitor his health and performance before reintegrating him into the pitching staff.
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