Former Met Blackburn signs with crosstown Yanks for stretch run
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NEW YORK -- Paul Blackburn didn’t know what to expect heading into a travel-filled week that the veteran right-hander described as “weird.”
Designated for assignment by the Mets on Saturday, Blackburn packed his bags and traveled to his Idaho home, keeping his arm loose while waiting for the phone to ring.
It did -- and it was the Yankees, making this a most circuitous method of moving from Queens to the Bronx.
“There’s obviously talent everywhere you look, and they’re in a really good spot for the postseason,” Blackburn said. “I mean, it’s the New York Yankees. That’s cool.”
Blackburn was signed to a Major League contract and added to the Yankees' roster ahead of Thursday’s game against the Red Sox, with manager Aaron Boone saying he envisions the 31-year-old filling a long-relief role out of the bullpen.
In a corresponding move, right-hander Allan Winans was optioned to Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre.
“Our ‘pen right now is not filled with a lot of guys that give us a lot of length,” Boone said. “Obviously he has a track record of success in the big leagues. He’s a guy that’s built up and gives us some coverage if we get in a situation where we need real length.”
In seven games (four starts) with the Mets this season, Blackburn was 0-3 with one save and a 6.85 ERA. His most recent outing was sharp, five innings of two-run ball against the Braves on Aug. 13, yet Blackburn said he wasn’t surprised to be cut loose.
The Mets DFAd Blackburn to create space on the active roster for pitching prospect Nolan McLean, who impressed in his Major League debut.
“It was tough, but I think it’s a good place to start over,” Blackburn said. “I’ll just try to contribute any way I can here for the rest of this year.”
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A 2022 American League All-Star, Blackburn has previously pitched with the Athletics (2017-24) and Mets (2024-25), compiling a 22-31 record with one save and a 4.96 ERA in 93 career games (86 starts).
Blackburn said he was initially supposed to join the Yankees on Wednesday in Tampa, but weather delays and cancellations kept him parked for more than three hours in an Amarillo, Texas, airport, prompting his being re-routed to New York.
The Yankees may have more pitching moves soon. Boone said right-hander Fernando Cruz is scheduled to make his final Minor League rehab appearance on Friday, then could be activated for the Nationals series that begins on Monday.
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Additionally, left-hander Ryan Yarbrough is expected to make at least one more Minor League rehab start before being activated. Yarbrough last pitched on Wednesday for Scranton/Wilkes-Barre, throwing 50 pitches.
“With some of the lack of starting depth down the stretch, we think it’s important to try to build that out if we can,” Boone said of Yarbrough.