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Athletics Place Paul Blackburn On Injured List

By Darragh McDonald | May 13, 2024 at 2:50pm CDT

The Athletics announced that right-hander Paul Blackburn has been placed on the 15-day injured list, retroactive to May 11, with a stress reaction of the fifth metatarsal of his right foot. Left-hander Easton Lucas was recalled from Triple-A Las Vegas in a corresponding move.

It’s unclear when Blackburn suffered his injury, but it his results have gradually worsened as the season has gone along. He first three starts of the season were scoreless but he allowed 21 earned runs over his five most recent outings. Against the Mariners on Friday, he went four-plus innings with seven earned run allowed.

In the short term, the news is obviously a setback for the A’s. When healthy, he has been one of the pillars of their organization in recent years. As other pitchers have come and gone and many have floundered, he posted a 4.35 ERA in 2022 and 2023. This year, his hot start and subsequent struggles have led to a 4.11 ERA.

Of course, the “when healthy” qualifier is an important one for Blackburn. He was limited to 21 starts in 2022 and 20 last year, missing time due to issues with the middle finger of his pitching hand. The 111 1/3 innings he threw in 2021 are still his career high at the big league level. Now he’s in for yet another injury absence, though it’s not known how long the A’s expect that to be.

The A’s already have Ken Waldichuk, Freddy Tarnok and Luis Medina on the 60-day IL, with Joe Boyle on the 15-day IL. Blackburn is now joining them and perhaps Alex Wood as well. Manager Mark Kotsay told Martín Gallegos of MLB.com (X link) that Wood has been pitching through a shoulder injury that seemed to get worse yesterday. “Alex has been grinding,” Kotsay said. “He hasn’t felt great. He gave us everything he had.” Kotsay seemed to suggest that an IL stint could be coming by saying last night: “We’ll have more news tomorrow.”

If Wood follows Blackburn to the IL, the rotation would be left with JP Sears, Ross Stripling and Joey Estes. Sears and Stripling have been effective enough. Sears has a 4.20 ERA on the year and Stripling is at 5.14, though with a .356 batting average on balls in play and 57.9% strand rate. Stripling’s 3.71 FIP and 4.50 SIERA suggest he could be better going forward with a bit more help from the baseball gods. Estes was just recalled and his one start was decent, allowing one earned run in five innings, though he had a 6.04 ERA in Triple-A before getting called up.

The club will need to figure out how to fill a rotation spot, perhaps two. Mitch Spence has been throwing multi-inning stints out of the bullpen and has a 3.65 ERA, so he could perhaps be an option. Hogan Harris or Osvaldo Bido were recently up to make spot starts and could perhaps do so again. Brady Basso and Royber Salinas are on the 40-man roster, though neither player has yet reached the majors and each has made just one Triple-A start.

In the longer term, it’s possible the injury could impact Blackburn as a midseason trade candidate. He is making $3.45MM this year and is slated for one more arbitration season before he will become a free agent after 2025. Though the A’s are performing a bit better than expected this year at 19-23, they are still most likely going to be in seller position at the upcoming deadline.

Blackburn’s results have been more passable than outstanding, but all teams need pitching at the deadline and non-rental starters tend to be the most attractive assets in the summer market. The righty therefore is one of the most straightforward trade candidates this year, given his status and that of the team he plays for. The extent of his injury will therefore be of interest not just to the A’s but to many other clubs around the league as the summer pitching market develops.

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Oakland Athletics Alex Wood Easton Lucas Paul Blackburn

Orioles Designate Ryan McKenna For Assignment
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40 Comments

  1. Old York

    1 year ago

    Big blow to the A’s 2024 world series championship hopes.

    Reply
  2. Trojan Toss

    1 year ago

    The joke is on the “A’s” if they run scared from Oakland like the ungrateful pathetic cowards that they are. Property values right around the stadium are skyrocketing at unprecedented international rates/levels. That’s why so many movie actors and other famous people are buying the houses right around the stadium and moving in extremely fast. It’s not referred widely referred to as ‘Malibu North’ for no reason. Don’t need them, don’t want them.

    2
    Reply
    • Always an A’s fan

      1 year ago

      It’s not the A’s it’s the owner. He’s a broke billionaire. Shouldn’t be an owner of any sport. He’s not even a fan of his own team

      4
      Reply
      • tjmacari

        1 year ago

        “Broke Billionaire” – I think he’s the 11th richest MLB owner if I remember correctly

        2
        Reply
        • Always an A’s fan

          1 year ago

          Why doesn’t he act like it?
          So is he a fan of his own team. Or even baseball in general. He’s not one of us.
          Us meaning lifetime A’s fans.

          4
          Reply
        • A'sfaninLondonUK

          1 year ago

          @tjmacari

          Can I ask you why – after various pathetic attempts across California for 15 plus years, that Vegas will be any different?

          Would it have anything to do with the fact that John Fisher is a spoilt little man with the business acumen of a groundhog?

          4
          Reply
    • Astros Hot Takes

      1 year ago

      Verducci says Oakland – city, stadium, and fan base – HIGHLY underrated.

      1
      Reply
      • Always an A’s fan

        1 year ago

        True but it doesn’t answer the question of Fisher

        2
        Reply
      • JoeBrady

        1 year ago

        If that’s true, then they will have no problem getting a new team and a new stadium. Money is the ultimate lie detector. If there is money to be made, every billionaire in America will step forward.

        1
        Reply
      • mlb fan

        1 year ago

        “Verducci says Oakland”…Maybe ask Verducci why he chooses to live about 3000 miles away from Oakland in an upscale New Jersey neighborhood.

        1
        Reply
    • JoeBrady

      1 year ago

      From Google:
      “Oakland’s most coveted shovel-ready property, the Coliseum/Oakland Arena site, is half-owned by Fisher (Oakland owns the other half).”

      So what you’re saying is that Fisher is going to cash in from his land ownings in Oakland, as well as improving the value of his team?

      And the joke’s on Fisher???

      4
      Reply
      • Always an A’s fan

        1 year ago

        He doesn’t care about the team. Just dollars for himself

        Reply
    • mlb fan

      1 year ago

      “Skyrocketing at unprecedented levels…buying the houses right around the stadium”…I’m guessing you’re being facetious so I won’t dress you down on your misnomers about Oakland. Everyone knows that residents and businesses are fleeing Oakland as fast as they possibly can.

      1
      Reply
  3. Slappy Dappy Doo

    1 year ago

    Well want them or not they are leaving. So pack up your sour grapes and move on to the next team.

    I am from a state that lost a hockey team so I do know what it is like to lose a team. I woke up the next day and went on with life.

    Unlike you in here bitching thinking that is going to change anything. The owners are not on here and seeing your whining like oh no. We pissed home off maybe we should stay.

    3
    Reply
    • Trojan Toss

      1 year ago

      Tell that to all the famous movie actors who are moving in right next to the Coliseum.

      2
      Reply
      • Always an A’s fan

        1 year ago

        Haha name even one

        3
        Reply
        • Trojan Toss

          1 year ago

          Depp, Cruise, Hayek, Costner, etc.

          2
          Reply
        • Always an A’s fan

          1 year ago

          Buying in Oakland? Haha. None of them.
          Prove it

          1
          Reply
        • Trojan Toss

          1 year ago

          Nicholson, Sutherland, Moore, etc.

          ‘You can lead a horse to water….’

          2
          Reply
        • Always an A’s fan

          1 year ago

          You’re cuckoo for Cocoa Puffs

          Reply
      • A'sfaninLondonUK

        1 year ago

        Is Trojan Toss an “English-ism” for Horse Jism?

        2
        Reply
  4. Well Hung

    1 year ago

    A’s own half the coliseum site, so according to rubber boy they will cash in Big after leaving

    Reply
    • Always an A’s fan

      1 year ago

      Maybe

      Reply
  5. Bauer? But I Hardly Know Her!

    1 year ago

    Nice to see Easton Lewis demoted from AAA.

    Reply
  6. tjmacari

    1 year ago

    Just read on Twitter that the Schools Over Stadiums PAC was just rejected by the Nevada Supreme Court. That feels like a major blow to Vegas falling apart?

    Reply
    • Always an A’s fan

      1 year ago

      Fisher deserves it if true

      Reply
    • A'sfaninLondonUK

      1 year ago

      @macari

      Makes less than no difference if Fisher can’t raise the investnent, does it?

      What is your horse in this race, or are you just being a clown?

      2
      Reply
    • YankeesBleacherCreature

      1 year ago

      thenevadaindependent.com/article/ballot-measure-se…

      They’ll amend and re-file. This thing is going drag on until exhaustion.

      3
      Reply
      • A'sfaninLondonUK

        1 year ago

        @YBC

        Trust all is good with you, Clipper & the Yankees fans here. Been quietly impressed with how they’ve worked minus Cole.

        3
        Reply
        • YankeesBleacherCreature

          1 year ago

          Yes, thanks for asking! Hope you are too! The Yankees have managed to stay healthy over the first six weeks so that’s been key. A’s are playing better than anyone has anticipated and I was thoroughly impressed with Miller when he struck out our side to close the game.

          1
          Reply
  7. sergefunction

    1 year ago

    Many predicted a 4-20 record for Blackburn was baked into the A’s 2024 season pie.

    Both have thus far disappointed those fictitious prognosticators.

    2
    Reply
  8. GangGreen23

    1 year ago

    Just resign James Kaprelian. A’s are running out of Starting Pitchers.

    Kaprelian had some moments, even if his Stats are not the best. t this point, just need a Vet to chew up some Innings.

    Just not sure if Kaprelian is healed from his latest Shoulder surgery.

    Reply
  9. Always an A’s fan

    1 year ago

    If he is healthy he will be gone by the trade deadline
    So will others

    Reply
  10. Deleted Userr

    1 year ago

    Look on the bright side. Now they have room for Bauer.

    Reply
  11. A'sfaninLondonUK

    1 year ago

    No, Harambe, only you and your skull has room for Trevor Bauer.

    Please enjoy yourself. And finally be quiet afterwards.

    1
    Reply
    • Deleted Userr

      1 year ago

      umadbro?

      Reply
  12. greatgame 2

    1 year ago

    overpaid

    Reply
  13. dano62

    1 year ago

    Do the A’s have Bartolo’s number? Or maybe Texas will lend them Johnny Cueto…

    Reply
  14. The cookie-man

    1 year ago

    I would like to trade brown, if anyone would give us an out of the garbage starter that might excel with the amount of foul territory in oak.

    2
    Reply
  15. Always an A’s fan

    1 year ago

    What can Brown do for you? Nothing

    Reply

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