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Mets manager Carlos Mendoza confirmed before Friday's game against the Tampa Bay Rays that Paul Blackburn will get the start on Wednesday against the Atlanta Braves in place of the injured Kodai Senga.
Blackburn is still available out of the bullpen in the series opener.
"We’re gonna take it day-by-day, turn-by-turn, but Blackburn will take that spot on Wednesday against the Braves," Mendoza said. "He’s available today out of the bullpen. See where we’re at after the game today, but as of right now the plan is for him to start on Wednesday."
If Blackburn doesn't pitch on Friday, he could still be available out of the bullpen on Saturday, although in a shorter capacity.
"We’ll see what happens today," Mendoza said. "If we don’t pitch him today, he could be available on a short [outing on Saturday], it wouldn’t be anything – because then he’ll have three days before he has to make a start."
Blackburn made his season debut against the Los Angeles Dodgers on June 2 after going nearly a full year without pitching in the majors due to multiple injuries. After going five scoreless innings in that outing, he was sent to the bullpen and pitched four innings in relief on June 8 against the Colorado Rockies, giving up three earned runs on seven hits at Coors Field.
With the loss of Senga, Blackburn will once again be an important piece for New York.
"It definitely helps," the skipper said. "Important to have guys like that and we’ve been talking about our depth and here we are again getting tested. There’s a reason why we built him up as a starter...
"We see it every time, injuries are a part of this game. Every team will go through it, but I feel like we’re equipped to handle [it]. And obviously we got a guy like that already on the active roster and we got some more guys that are getting close to joining the team."
Of course, Frankie Montas, who is making another rehab start on Friday, and Sean Manaea, who pitches on Saturday, are also waiting in the wings.
Continue reading...
Blackburn is still available out of the bullpen in the series opener.
"We’re gonna take it day-by-day, turn-by-turn, but Blackburn will take that spot on Wednesday against the Braves," Mendoza said. "He’s available today out of the bullpen. See where we’re at after the game today, but as of right now the plan is for him to start on Wednesday."
If Blackburn doesn't pitch on Friday, he could still be available out of the bullpen on Saturday, although in a shorter capacity.
"We’ll see what happens today," Mendoza said. "If we don’t pitch him today, he could be available on a short [outing on Saturday], it wouldn’t be anything – because then he’ll have three days before he has to make a start."
Blackburn made his season debut against the Los Angeles Dodgers on June 2 after going nearly a full year without pitching in the majors due to multiple injuries. After going five scoreless innings in that outing, he was sent to the bullpen and pitched four innings in relief on June 8 against the Colorado Rockies, giving up three earned runs on seven hits at Coors Field.
With the loss of Senga, Blackburn will once again be an important piece for New York.
"It definitely helps," the skipper said. "Important to have guys like that and we’ve been talking about our depth and here we are again getting tested. There’s a reason why we built him up as a starter...
"We see it every time, injuries are a part of this game. Every team will go through it, but I feel like we’re equipped to handle [it]. And obviously we got a guy like that already on the active roster and we got some more guys that are getting close to joining the team."
Of course, Frankie Montas, who is making another rehab start on Friday, and Sean Manaea, who pitches on Saturday, are also waiting in the wings.
Continue reading...
