The New York Mets reinstated right-hander Paul Blackburn (shoulder) from the 15-day injured list on Wednesday and optioned pitcher Jusin Hagenman to Triple-A Syracuse in a corresponding move, according to Laura Albanese of Newsday. Blackburn threw 97 pitches in his final minor-league rehab outing last Friday and is fully stretched out should manager Carlos Mendoza need another rotation arm down the stretch. Struggling right-hander Frankie Montas has been sent to the bullpen, although prospect Nolan McLean is going to get the first shot at taking Montas' spot in his MLB debut on Saturday against the Seattle Mariners. If McLean struggles and is sent down after that, Blackburn could be the next man up for starts in New York. Blackburn isn't a big upside pitcher for fantasy and has not looked good for the Mets since being acquired in a midseason trade in 2024.

New York Mets right-hander Paul Blackburn (shoulder) made another rehab start at the Triple-A level on Friday and built up to 97 pitches. Blackburn lasted 5 2/3 innings and allowed three runs (two earned) on seven hits with three strikeouts against no walks. Blackburn, on the IL since July 3 with a shoulder impingement, has made four straight starts at Triple-A and yielded six earned runs across 22 1/3 innings. It has been a much different story in the majors, though, as opposing offenses have tattooed Blackburn for a 7.71 ERA over six appearances (four starts) and 18 2/3 frames. The Mets are still deciding whether he'll make another rehab start.

New York Mets starting pitcher Paul Blackburn (shoulder) will make another rehab start with Triple-A Syracuse even though he seems to be back to full strength. He threw 87 and 93 pitches in his last two rehab outings, allowing a total of three runs over 11 2/3 innings with nine strikeouts. The Mets' rotation is full for the time being, so it seems that the Mets are just keeping him stretched out and ready to go while they figure out how to use the 31-year-old righty the rest of the season. He's 0-3 in four games with a 7.71 ERA in the majors this season, but has been effective in the minors while working his way back from this shoulder impingement.

New York Mets starting pitcher Paul Blackburn (shoulder) is scheduled to make one more rehab start with the Syracuse Mets on Saturday, August 2. Since he already ramped up to 87 pitches in his last outing, he should be ready to be activated after Saturday's start. He could be in the mix for the Mets' starting rotation down the stretch, depending on how things fall out at Thursday's trade deadline. Blackburn landed on the 15-day injured list early this month with a right shoulder impingement after pitching 18 2/3 innings with a 7.71 ERA and 4.16 FIP. He has been much sharper in the minors on his rehab, giving up just three runs in 15 innings on 11 hits with 19 strikeouts. In the right matchup as a starting pitcher, Blackburn can be a DFS value play or a streaming option, so keep an eye on where he ends up fitting into the Mets' plans going forward.

New York Mets right-hander Paul Blackburn (shoulder) began a rehab assignment Thursday in the rookie-level Florida Coast League. The 31-year-old was strong over 3 2/3 innings, as he allowed one earned run on three hits while piling up eight strikeouts against two walks. Blackburn has been on the 15-day injured list since July 3 with a shoulder impingement. He previously missed the first two months of the season with knee inflammation, and things haven't gone well when Blackburn has been healthy enough to pitch. In six appearances (four starts) in June, Blackburn went 0-3 with a 7.71 ERA, a 1.98 WHIP, and 15:7 K:BB over 18 2/3 innings. The Mets estimate that Blackburn will return later this month. However, he'll face an uphill battle in getting his rotation spot back, especially if the team upgrades around the July 31 trade deadline.

New York Mets right-hander Paul Blackburn (shoulder) continues to progress toward his return from a right shoulder impingement, playing catch up to 75 feet on flat ground Sunday. The 31-year-old landed on the injured list July 3 and is aiming for a return before the end of the month. Blackburn has struggled mightily in 2025, going (0-3) with a 7.71 ERA and a 16.1% strikeout rate, his lowest mark since 2021. Blackburn faces long odds of reclaiming a rotation spot. Fantasy managers can avoid Blackburn in all but the deepest NL-only formats for now.

New York Mets right-hander Paul Blackburn (shoulder), who landed on the 15-day injured list on Thursday with a right-shoulder impingement, is expected to resume throwing next week. Manager Carlos Mendoza said Blackburn's prognosis was "relatively good news." The 31-year-old veteran will be shut down for only three to five days. With right-hander Kodai Senga (hamstring) and left-hander Sean Manaea (elbow, oblique) likely joining the Mets' starting rotation soon, there's a good chance Blackburn will be relegated to the bullpen for a long-relief role in the second half of the season when he comes off the IL. The former first-rounder by the Chicago Cubs in 2012 has battled injuries since joining the Mets during midseason last year, and he hasn't been very good in six outings (four starts) in 2025, posting a 7.71 ERA, 1.98 WHIP and 15:7 K:BB.

The New York Mets placed right-hander Paul Blackburn (shoulder) on the 15-day injured list on Thursday with a right-shoulder impingement, according to SNY. It's unclear what the corresponding move was for the Mets. Blackburn has rarely been healthy since joining the Mets midseason in 2024, and he had made only seven appearances (six starts) for New York this year before going back on the IL with a new ailment. The 31-year-old veteran has not been good in his 18 2/3 innings for the Mets this year, either, allowing 17 runs (16 earned) on 30 hits (two homers) while walking seven and striking out 15. He's currently sporting a 7.71 ERA and 1.98 WHIP and doesn't have any business being rostered in mixed leagues, especially that he'll now be out through the All-Star break.

New York Mets right-hander Paul Blackburn will enter the starting rotation and pitch on Wednesday against the division-rival Atlanta Braves, according to manager Carlos Mendoza. Blackburn will be taking the rotation spot of right-hander Kodai Senga, who is heading to the 15-day injured list after straining his right hamstring on Thursday. The 31-year-old Blackburn could stay in New York's rotation for a couple of starts or until Frankie Montas (lat) is able to make his season debut. Blackburn also began the year on the injured list and has only made two appearances (one start), giving up three earned runs on 10 hits while walking two and striking out six in nine innings. He'll profile as a low-upside streaming option for those in deeper fantasy leagues due to his weak 6.9 career K/9 mark. Blackburn shut out the Dodgers for five innings in his first start of the year back on June 2.

New York Mets right-hander Paul Blackburn will likely move back to the bullpen after his start in Monday's extra-inning win over the Los Angeles Dodgers, according to manager Carlos Mendoza. Blackburn made his season debut in Monday's series opener at Dodger Stadium and impressed, tossing five shutout innings with three hits allowed, one walk and three strikeouts in a no-decision. But for now, the 31-year-old veteran will serve in a long-relief role, and that probably won't change with both Frankie Montas (lat) and Sean Manaea (shoulder) on the mend from injuries that have kept them out all season. Blackburn got a late start to 2025 due to right-knee inflammation, but he looked completely fine on Monday. Even if he's starting for the Mets, Blackburn has a limited fantasy ceiling due to his lack of strikeout stuff.

New York Mets starting pitcher Paul Blackburn (knee) was activated off the 15-day injured list on Monday. As expected, Blackburn will make his season debut after missing the first two months of the season due to right knee inflammation. Blackburn won't get an easy challenge against the Los Angeles Dodgers on Monday. The 31-year-old made the All-Star team in 2022, but has been more of a back-end starter throughout his career. That being said, Blackburn isn't a recommended streaming option for Monday and will probably only offer deep league value.

New York Mets right-handed pitcher Paul Blackburn (knee) is expected to return from the 15-day injured list and make his season debut on Monday evening against the Los Angeles Dodgers. Blackburn has been on the injured list throughout the start of the season due to right knee inflammation. Blackburn has logged 29 1/3 innings of rehab work with High-A, Double-A, and Triple-A. Across this stint, Blackburn posted a 3.68 ERA with a strong 1.09 WHIP. With Triple-A, he has held a 2.70 ERA with a 1.00 WHIP. Last season, the 31-year-old logged 75 1/3 innings with the Athletics and Mets and held a cumulative 4.66 ERA with a 1.29 WHIP. Fantasy managers should continue to monitor Blackburn's production as he may not be given a permanent role in the starting rotation. For now, he is only worth adding in deeper NL-only leagues.

New York Mets right-hander Paul Blackburn (knee) will make his seventh minor-league rehab start on Tuesday for Triple-A Syracuse, according to The Athletic's Tim Britton. The Mets have kept Blackburn in the minor leagues as they postpone a decision on their starting rotation. They will need a sixth starter in the first week of June, and Britton writes that we can pencil Blackburn in to start the series opener in Los Angeles against the Dodgers a week from Monday. The 31-year-old veteran has a 3.91 ERA and 1.13 WHIP with 27 strikeouts and 11 walks in six rehab starts at Syracuse, High-A Brooklyn and Double-A Binghamton. Not only will Blackburn's first start in 2025 be one to fade him in against the Dodgers, but after that start, he could be shifted to a long-relief role out of the bullpen once the Mets return to a five-man rotation.

New York Mets right-hander Paul Blackburn (knee) will make his next minor-league rehab appearance on Sunday for Triple-A Syracuse, according to NorthJersey.com's Andrew Tredinnick. In his three rehab games in the minors with High-A Brooklyn (two starts) and Syracuse, Blackburn has allowed four earned runs on nine hits (two home runs) while walking three and striking out 12 in 8 2/3 innings pitched. The 31-year-old made it through 3 2/3 innings in his last outing at Syracuse and will try to go deeper into the game this Sunday as he works his way back from knee inflammation that surfaced in spring training when he was trying to win a spot in the starting rotation. He had an ERA over 5.00 in five starts for the Mets late last year after being acquired in a trade from the A's, and his season ended early due to a back injury. Blackburn won't be guaranteed a spot in New York's starting rotation when he comes off the injured list.

New York Mets right-hander Paul Blackburn (knee) was scheduled to throw a second live batting practice session on Tuesday as he rehabs from inflammation in his right knee, according to manager Carlos Mendoza. The skipper said the goal is for Blackburn to build up to 65 to 70 pitches before he returns from the 15-day injured list. The 31-year-old veteran tossed his first live BP session last Friday and could be cleared to start a minor-league rehab assignment if he doesn't suffer a setback on Tuesday. Blackburn should be expected to need at least a couple rehab starts before rejoining the big-league roster. When he's activated, Blackburn won't be a lock for a starting rotation spot after struggling to a 5.18 ERA, 1.56 WHIP and 21:7 K:BB in his five starts for the Mets to close out 2024. He won't be of much use in fantasy in a long-relief role.

New York Mets right-hander Paul Blackburn (knee) will start the 2025 season on the 15-day injured list with right-knee inflammation, according to New York Daily News' Abbey Mastracco. The Mets acquired Blackburn from the Athletics in a trade last year, but he made only five starts in New York before being shut down with a back injury that required surgery. The 31-year-old veteran's back is fine, but now he's dealing with a knee injury and isn't ready for Opening Day. The good news is that he's expected to be back before the end of April, but Blackburn will likely be relegated to a long-relief role out of the bullpen, leaving him virtually zero fantasy appeal. Blackburn also dealt with foot and hand injuries in 2024 and made just 14 starts combined, going 5-4 with a 4.66 ERA and 1.29 WHIP with 59 strikeouts and 21 walks in 75 1/3 innings. He's off the fantasy radar in most leagues.

New York Mets right-hander Paul Blackburn (back) threw to hitters for one inning in a live batting practice session at camp on Tuesday. "I feel like I'm in a good spot right now," Blackburn said. "Just excited to be here, just trying to go day by day, not try to do too much and just slowly progress into the start." The 31-year-old veteran's 2024 season ended early due to a spinal fluid leak that required surgery on Oct. 11, but he's back to throwing now and is working with pitching coach Jeremy Hefner to refine his sinker and sweeper in order to add more run to his sinker and more horizontal movement to his sweeper. Blackburn is competing for a rotation spot with Tylor Megill and Griffin Canning after being limited to 14 starts in 2024 due to injury. Because he's a bit behind in camp, both Megill and Canning figure to be ahead of Blackburn in the rotation competition.

New York Mets right-hander Paul Blackburn (back), who required surgery in October of last year to fix a leak around his spinal cord, is a little bit behind the rest of the team's pitching at the start of spring training, according to The Athletic's Will Sammon and Tim Britton. Blackburn will be competing primarily with Griffin Canning and Tylor Megill for the sixth and final spot in New York's starting rotation to begin the year. Canning and Blackburn have the advantage over Megill because they don't have any minor-league options remaining, but Blackburn's back injury could hurt his chances. The 31-year-old make only five starts for the Mets in the second half after they acquired him from the A's at the trade deadline, and he stumbled to a 5.18 ERA and 1.56 WHIP in 24 1/3 innings. Blackburn has never thrown more than 111 1/3 innings in the big leagues and could be a piggyback option even if he wins a rotation spot.

New York Mets right-hander Paul Blackburn (back), who had surgery on Oct. 11 to fix a spinal fluid leak in his back, is on track to be healthy and ready to roll for Opening Day in 2025, according to president of baseball operations David Stearn. The front-office executive also said that the Mets view Blackburn as a starter, but he can also pitch out of the bullpen if needed. It sounds like the Mets could very easily use Blackburn in a swing role next year, especially after already adding right-handers Frankie Montas and Clay Holmes, the latter of which is expected to move from a relief to starting role in 2025. The 31-year-old began the year with the Athletics in 2024 before being acquired by the Mets in a trade at the deadline. The former first-rounder went a combined 5-4 with a 4.66 ERA and 1.29 WHIP with a 59:21 K:BB in 75 1/3 frames over 14 starts. He'll only be relevant in fantasy in a starting role for the Mets.

New York Mets right-hander Paul Blackburn (back) is expected to miss four to five months after undergoing a cerebrospinal fluid leak repair on his back on Oct. 11, according to the team. While there's enough time for Blackburn to get ready before the start of the 2025 regular season, the Mets probably aren't going to rush him in spring training, so it wouldn't be a surprise if the veteran hurler isn't an option to begin the regular season in New York's starting rotation. The 30-year-old began 2024 with the Oakland Athletics before getting traded to the Big Apple in late July. He was slightly more effective in his nine starts with the A's before the trade, as he went 1-2 with a 5.18 ERA (4.69 FIP) and 1.56 WHIP with 21 strikeouts and seven walks in his five starts over 24 1/3 innings with the Mets while missing time with multiple injuries.