New York Mets Lose Starter in Latest Injury Concern

Mets' Trade Deadline acquisition exits early, potentially dealing another blow to starting rotation.

Aug 23, 2024; San Diego, California, USA; New York Mets starting pitcher Paul Blackburn (58) reacts after being hit during the third inning against the San Diego Padres at Petco Park. Mandatory Credit: Denis Poroy-USA TODAY Sports / Denis Poroy-USA TODAY Sports

New York Mets starting pitcher Paul Blackburn has a hand contusion and will undergo additional tests Saturday, according to the team.

RHP Paul Blackburn has a hand contusion and will undergo additional tests tomorrow.

— New York Mets (@Mets) August 24, 2024

Blackburn was struck in the right hand and wrist area, his pitching arm, on a live drive by San Diego Padres outfielder David Peralta in the bottom of the third inning. Manager Carlos Mendoza immediately pulled Blackburn from the contest.

Paul Blackburn is coming out of the game after being struck by a line drive from David Peralta pic.twitter.com/GVyCID0exN

— SNY (@SNYtv) August 24, 2024

After the game, Mendoza shared with reporters that Blackburn's X-Rays were "inconclusive." The Mets will send the pitcher for a CT scan on Saturday morning so they can determine the severity.

Carlos Mendoza says that X-rays on Paul Blackburn were inconclusive, necessitating more testing tomorrow: pic.twitter.com/UjzheJ7uqc

— SNY (@SNYtv) August 24, 2024

President of Baseball Operations David Stearns acquired Blackburn July 30 from the Oakland Athletics in exchange for right-handed pitcher Kade Morris prior to the Trade Deadline. In four starts with the Mets, Blackburn is 1-1 with a 3.68 ERA, recording 20 strikeouts and seven walks across 22 innings; he is 5-3 with a 4.19 ERA, 58 strikeouts, allowing 21 walks and 1.192 WHIP in 78 total innings with Oakland and New York this season.

The 30-year-old former first-round pick (56th overall selection by the Chicago Cubs) in the 2012 MLB Draft has already missed significant time on the injured list this season. On May 13 the Athletics transferred Blackburn from the 15-day IL to 60-day IL (stress reaction of the fifth metatarsal of his right foot) and didn’t activate the Brentwood, California native until July 26, four days before he was shipped to Flushing. Now the Mets have to play this situation cautiously.

For now, the Mets say Paul Blackburn only has a bruise on his right hand. But he'll undergo further testing tomorrow. (Sometimes, those other tests can pick up small fractures that traditional x-rays cannot, so it's important for the Mets to cover their bases on this one.)

— Anthony DiComo (@AnthonyDiComo) August 24, 2024

Blackburn is currently signed to a one-year, $3.45 million contract. He turns 31 in December, is arbitration eligible in 2025 and will not become an unrestricted free agent until 2026.

The Mets, who have mostly had a patchwork starting rotation in 2024 after losing promising prospect Christian Scott, on top of not having 2023 National League All-Star Kodai Senga, would likely prioritize Blackburn heavily this upcoming offseason.

"They're a good ballclub, they're playing well but I like our chances as well"

Carlos Mendoza previews big series vs. Padres, says Dedniel Nunez will be activated tomorrow and provides updates on Kodai Senga and Christian Scott #Mets pic.twitter.com/QHmOdYlZ0V

— New York Post Sports (@nypostsports) August 23, 2024

Scott was placed on the 15-day IL on July 23 with a right UCL sprain. Senga, who started the regular season on the IL with a right shoulder capsule strain following spring training, has since been placed back on the IL – transferred from the 15-day to 60-day on July 28 after being activated on July 26 – with a high-grade left calf strain injury suffered in his lone start of the year.

The Mets’ 7-0 loss Friday to the Padres drops their overall record to 67-62, now 2.5 games behind the Atlanta Braves for the final Wild Card playoff spot in the NL. Losing Blackburn for extended time at this juncture would be a blow to the Mets’ rotational depth, and burden the bullpen once more heading into September as they attempt to chase a postseason berth.