Proper-hander Paul Blackburn has cleared launch waivers and is now free to signal with any membership, stories Anthony DiComo of MLB.com. The Mets designated him for task on Saturday and it was later reported that he had been positioned on launch waivers.
It’s not a shock that Blackburn has gone unclaimed. He’s making $4.05MM this 12 months, leaving near $900K nonetheless to be paid out. That’s greater than some pitchers get for a full season, so it will be a notable quantity for the ultimate few weeks of the marketing campaign. Blackburn has additionally been largely injured this 12 months, solely pitching in seven video games with a 6.85 earned run common.
Now that he has cleared waivers, it’s doable golf equipment give him a name. The Mets will stay on the hook for almost all of what stays of his wage. A membership may signal Blackburn and solely pay him the prorated portion of the $760K league minimal for any time spent on the roster, which might be lower than $4K per day. Any quantity paid by one other membership can be subtracted from what the Mets pay.
Blackburn hasn’t been in wonderful type this 12 months. He began the season on the injured checklist on account of irritation in his proper knee. He was activated in June however a shoulder impingement put him again on the shelf. As talked about, he has posted a 6.85 ERA round these IL stints.
Nevertheless, he’s stretched out and was in good type throughout his rehab task, which may attraction to golf equipment needing innings. He began a rehab task in July and his last 4 rehab outings had been Triple-A video games the place he went 5 innings or extra. He had a 2.42 ERA, 18.3% strikeout charge and 4.3% stroll charge in these. He was then reinstated from the IL and tossed 5 innings of lengthy reduction in opposition to Atlanta on August thirteenth, permitting two earned runs. He was designated for task shortly thereafter.
Whereas it’s not been an ideal season total, Blackburn has some main league success. From 2022 to 2024, he tossed a mixed 290 1/3 innings with a 4.43 ERA, 20.2% strikeout charge, 7.5% stroll charge and 44.8% floor ball charge. It’s been a difficult 12 months however he’s stretched out and has been placing up first rate numbers over the previous month. Since he’s principally free, it’s doable some membership takes an opportunity on him, particularly with the inherent difficulties of including affect expertise after the commerce deadline.
Picture courtesy of Jason Parkhurst, Imagn Photos
