The New York Mets have placed right-handed pitcher Paul Blackburn on the 15-day injured list due to a bruised right hand, as announced on Sunday. Blackburn sustained the injury during his start against the San Diego Padres on Friday when a line drive hit his hand, forcing him to leave the game in the third inning.
Mets manager Carlos Mendoza informed reporters that Blackburn is not expected to miss more than the required 15 days. “He went out there, played catch (Sunday). As expected, stiff, sore,” Mendoza said. “… He should be ready to go, fully built up by the time he’s eligible to come off the IL.” Blackburn, who is 30 years old, has posted a 1-2 record with a 5.18 ERA in five starts for the Mets since being acquired from the Oakland Athletics on July 30.
Despite a few strong performances, where he allowed only one run over six innings in three of his first four outings with the Mets, Blackburn struggled in his most recent start, giving up five runs in just 2 1/3 innings before the injury forced him out of the game.
In response to Blackburn’s injury, the Mets called up right-handed pitcher Huascar Brazoban from Triple-A Syracuse on Sunday. Brazoban, 34, has made nine relief appearances for the Mets since being traded from the Miami Marlins last month, posting a 0-1 record with a 6.30 ERA.
The Mets are currently 2 1/2 games behind the Atlanta Braves in the race for the final wild-card spot in the National League as they head into their game on Sunday.
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