Paul Blackburn Won’t Pitch Again in 2024

Updated Post: Oct. 2 at 4:15 PM

According to Mets manager Carlos Mendoza, the 2024 season is over for Paul Blackburn. Blackburn was diagnosed with a spinal fluid leak a couple of weeks ago and hasn’t pitched for the Mets since August 23.

Blackburn, 30, is arbitration-eligible this offseason and is estimated to make $4.4 million for the 2025 season.

Updated Post: Sept. 9 at 5:55 PM

Carlos Mendoza noted that RHP Paul Blackburn was scratched from his start on Monday in Toronto because of lower back discomfort. The manager commented Blackburn experienced back pain in his rehab outing in Triple-A, but his back locked up on him Sunday when he was preparing for Monday’s start. He is not expected to start in the Toronto series. If he does not improve in the coming days, he will return to New York for imaging.

Original Post: Sept. 9 at 11:12 am

According to Mike Mayer of MMO, Tylor Megill (3-5, 4.95 ERA) will start Monday against the Toronto Blue Jays. Manager Carlos Mendoza previously noted that Paul Blackburn would come off the injured list to make the start.

There was no immediate update on Blackburn’s status. He suffered a right-hand contusion after being hit by a line drive in San Diego on August 23.

Megill has had an up-and-down 2024 in Queens, posting a 3-5 record and a 4.95 ERA. He’s struggled to go deep into games, making it past six innings twice in 11 starts. Walks have plagued him, along with the Mets’ pitching staff, with Baseball Savant ranking him in the 28th percentile with a 9.6% walk percentage.

Former Met Chris Bassitt (9-13, 4.30 ERA) starts for Toronto in the 7:07 p.m. ET game in Toronto. The Mets (78-65) are tied with the Atlanta Braves for the final Wild Card spot with 19 games to play.

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