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Paul Blackburn Undergoes Spinal Procedure

By Steve Adams | October 22, 2024 at 10:46am CDT

The Mets announced Tuesday that right-hander Paul Blackburn underwent a cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) leak repair procedure on October 11. The typical timeframe to return to play from a procedure of this nature is four to five months, per the club.

A timetable of four to five months would put Blackburn on track to be ready early or midway through spring training, assuming all goes according to plan with his rehab. That said, it’s a notable enough procedure that it calls into question whether that spring opportunity will come with the Mets or another club. Blackburn is eligible for arbitration this winter and projected by MLBTR contributor Matt Swartz to earn a $4.4MM salary for the 2025 campaign — his last one before free agency. That’s a reasonable enough price to pay for a fourth/fifth starter of Blackburn’s caliber, but the Mets are also expected to carry a weighty luxury tax bill. If they again return to the top penalty bracket, Blackburn could wind up costing them more like $9.25MM, given the team’s tax status.

Blackburn might’ve been a non-tender candidate anyhow and unfortunately now seems likelier to fall into that category. If nothing else, the Mets could explore the possibility of trading him to a team in need of back-of-the-rotation depth, though his murky health status would surely prove a sticking point in any such negotiations.

The Mets acquired Blackburn, 31 next month, prior to the trade deadline in a deal sending minor league righty Kade Morris (whom they’d selected in the third round of the 2023 draft) back to the A’s. He only made five starts with the Mets, however, three of them with excellent results (six innings, two or one earned run allowed) and two with disastrous results (combined 11 earned runs in 6 1/3 innings). On the whole, he pitched 24 1/3 innings with a 5.18 ERA during his time with the Mets. Blackburn was placed on the injured list in late August after taking a comebacker off his wrist. Prior to the postseason, the Mets placed Blackburn on the 60-day IL with a spinal fluid leak.

Starting pitching was always going to be one of the focal points of the Mets’ offseason (presumably, along with a pursuit of Juan Soto and an effort to re-sign Pete Alonso). Sean Manaea, Luis Severino and Jose Quintana are all free agents following the World Series (or at least they will be, once Manaea declines a $13.5MM player option). Blackburn could’ve been a key depth arm — a potential fifth starter or swingman — but his health now calls that role into question and only furthers the Mets’ need to add both high-end pitching talent and quality big league depth.

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New York Mets Paul Blackburn

Offseason Outlook: Chicago White Sox
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View Comments (40)
Post a Comment

40 Comments

  1. Fever Pitch Guy

    12 months ago

    I’m just here for the inevitable spinal tap jokes. LOL

    4
    Reply
    • MShowerhead

      12 months ago

      2 disastrous starts where his earned runs were turned up to… 11

      9
      Reply
    • MShowerhead

      12 months ago

      2 disastrous starts where his earned runs were turned up to… 11?

      1
      Reply
    • MLB Top 100 Commenter

      12 months ago

      Like Blackburn singing, “Gimme some money”

      2
      Reply
    • Joe says...

      12 months ago

      After surgery did he get to smell the glove?

      2
      Reply
      • Bart Harley Jarvis

        12 months ago

        Isn’t Paul Blackburn the patron saint of quality footwear?

        Reply
  2. westcasey

    12 months ago

    Cleveland likes injured starters, especially 4/5th starters. trade blackburn to Cleveland for a minor leaguer.

    Reply
    • pohle

      12 months ago

      the guardians starting staff is likely to improve. with no major impending free agents other than bieber, the guardians are already in strong position in regards to next year, so around the staff it will be more “finishing touch” kind of moves, with the lineup you can hope for more.

      Reply
    • Soto should bat first.

      12 months ago

      Carrasco all over again. I hear this.

      Reply
  3. User 2770661946

    12 months ago

    I called this months ago. It was so obvious watching his delivery that a cerebrospinal fluid leak repair was necessary

    2
    Reply
  4. SweetBabyRayKingsThickThighs

    12 months ago

    A Spinal Tap procedure

    1
    Reply
    • Joemo

      12 months ago

      This procedure goes to 11.

      2
      Reply
  5. Canosucks

    12 months ago

    As a Mets fan I was treated to a season I didn’t expect; not disappointed.

    But with all the money coming off the books 100-170 million; why go back heavy into the luxury tax by chasing Soto and the like?

    Just grab pitching and a few reasonable 25-30 homerun guys.

    Can we just cut Spinal Tap now?

    2
    Reply
    • rct

      12 months ago

      I agree, and I don’t think Soto is going anywhere (staying with the Yankees; they’d be fools to let him get away), but how many “reasonable 25-30 HR guys are available?

      2
      Reply
      • Canosucks

        12 months ago

        @rct “but how many “reasonable 25-30 HR guys are available?”

        Your right about that; seems like if a guy hits .230 and 18 home runs he will cost 16 million a year if not more! 🙁

        But as for the rest it seems like we agree

        Reply
    • mrbrightside31

      12 months ago

      The writer has a poor take on the Mets future. They won’t be in luxury tax territory next season.

      Reply
    • MLB Top 100 Commenter

      12 months ago

      For the cost of Soto, they could sign Christian Walker, Teoscar Hernandez and Corbin Burnes or Max Fried. I would rather not have half a billion binge on one guy’s health and aging. Ohtani was different because aside from skill, he opened up a foreign media market.

      3
      Reply
    • Soto should bat first.

      12 months ago

      I like the way you think and I like your mlbtr name. Cano does indeed suck.
      Let’s stay fiscally responsible. Payroll will finally be manageable. Higher draft picks and comp picks. Development. Not spend, spend, spend.
      Most importantly, fiscal restraint on relief pitchers.

      1
      Reply
  6. RBFSSolution

    12 months ago

    What caused this leak?
    Is this another major internal issue?
    Is this Front Office or analytic?
    Who gets the credit for this one?

    1
    Reply
    • Non Roster Invitee

      12 months ago

      Israeli’s.

      Reply
  7. User 2770661946

    12 months ago

    1984 was a good year in film as Ghostbusters, sixteen candles, Karate Kid, Terminator, Nightmare on Elm Street, Footloose and The Natural all came out. Spinal Tap doesn’t deserve to be in the conversation. It’s just one of those cult movies that wankers all get together to quote to seem all edgy. Lame as wearing sambas

    Reply
    • Bill M

      12 months ago

      Better movie than
      EVERY
      SINGLE
      ONE
      you mentioned.

      4
      Reply
    • Fever Pitch Guy

      12 months ago

      Terry – You have a major oversight …… Purple Rain!!!!!!

      1
      Reply
      • User 2770661946

        12 months ago

        My bad. +1 Fever for the catch

        1
        Reply
  8. RBFSSolution

    12 months ago

    Help, Our pitcher is leaking!
    Bill Plummer just passed March 12, we are hosed!

    Reply
  9. RBFSSolution

    12 months ago

    Paul’s Blackburn was always my favorite.

    Reply
  10. Attystephenadams

    12 months ago

    SInce no one else had the decency to say it, here’s to a speedy recovery to Mr. Blackburn. The rest of you are incredible for your insensitivity!

    11
    Reply
    • User 2770661946

      12 months ago

      You buy the card and we’ll all sign it.

      5
      Reply
    • RBFSSolution

      12 months ago

      Sue us.

      2
      Reply
    • RBFSSolution

      12 months ago

      There are ballots that are not visible here, but they are on his back.

      Reply
  11. RBFSSolution

    12 months ago

    Paul’s on the Back Burner until he gets Back.

    Reply
    • Soto should bat first.

      12 months ago

      Back in Blackburn.

      Reply
      • MLB Top 100 Commenter

        12 months ago

        If Paul signs with the Giants or Orioles, Blackburn can be the new orange.

        1
        Reply
  12. RBFSSolution

    12 months ago

    The Spinal Backs like Paul as a BACK UP.
    Kendrick liked Montgomery and now would like his MontyBack.

    Reply
  13. numberoneslayerfan

    12 months ago

    spinal tap is my favorite band

    Reply
  14. Non Roster Invitee

    12 months ago

    Spoke with him during some A’s games back a few years ago. Guy could be a pitching coach.

    2
    Reply
  15. LFGMets (Metsin7) #BannedForBeingABaseballExpert

    12 months ago

    Blackburn is not major league calibur. I think he is awful. Can’t wait for the Mets to get rid of him. Reminds me a lot of Adrian Houser. They need a real rotation for next year. Heres what I would do:

    Senga
    Manaea (3 years 60 mil)
    Burnes ( 5 years 140 mil)
    Shane Bieber (1 year 20 mil with a player option)
    Peterson

    As a backup for any injured starters they can use a mix of Megil or whoever from Triple A and then get someone good at the deadline. Steve Cohen can afford this.

    1
    Reply
    • dirkbill1958

      12 months ago

      Peterson was a pleasant surprise

      2
      Reply
    • MLB Top 100 Commenter

      12 months ago

      Blackburn was good with the As. Hope the As can sign him to a two year pillow deal for cheap.

      1
      Reply
  16. Bart Harley Jarvis

    12 months ago

    I saw Spinal Tap perform live at the Tower Theater in June 1992. David, Nigel, and Derek performed. I’m not sure which of the many, many drummers was there that evening, but I can tell you he survived the concert.

    1
    Reply

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