Paul Blackburn’s Grapefruit League debut was brief, but it was certainly encouraging.
Taking the mound for the first time since late August, the right-hander needed just seven pitches to retire the top of the Marlins’ lineup in order en route to a perfect first inning to open Wednesday’s 4-1 loss.
Blackburn, who the Mets penciled in for just the one inning, sandwiched a Connor Norby strikeout on a filthy slider in the dirt between a pair of groundouts as he quickly shook off the first outing jitters.
“Everything felt good out there,” he said afterward. “There was definitely some excitement. I had the normal jitters and anxiety before the game, but I just wanted to start. I feel like today was a step in the right direction.”
The Mets, of course, acquired Blackburn in a midseason deal with the Athletics.
He made just five outings before he was forced to the IR after being struck on the hand by a comebacker. A few months later, he found himself on the surgery table, as lower back discomfort revealed a spinal fluid leak — and he ended up missing the remainder of the regular season and the entire postseason.
The 31-year-old took things slow the first few weeks in camp, but he’s officially a full go and is expected to be ready to roll come Opening Day — which is certainly encouraging news for both him and the Mets.
With both Frankie Montas and Sean Manaea missing time to injuries, Blackburn now finds himself competing with Tylor Megill and Griffin Canning for a spot in the starting rotation to begin the year.
While Wednesday’s outing was brief, Carlos Mendoza was just excited to see him back on the mound.
“That he’s facing live competition is a huge step for him and us,” the skipper said. “The guy that we know is going to throw strikes and attack the zone. I was encouraged with the sinker, which is a pitch we’ve been talking to him about from the beginning.
Blackburn threw 15 more pitches in the bullpen following his outing to continue stretching out.
Read the full article here
