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.
Fever Pitch Guy
I’m just here for the inevitable spinal tap jokes. LOL
MShowerhead
2 disastrous starts where his earned runs were turned up to… 11
MShowerhead
2 disastrous starts where his earned runs were turned up to… 11?
MLB Top 100 Commenter
Like Blackburn singing, “Gimme some money”
Joe says...
After surgery did he get to smell the glove?
westcasey
Cleveland likes injured starters, especially 4/5th starters. trade blackburn to Cleveland for a minor leaguer.
pohle
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.
Lindor's Bodyguard
Carrasco all over again. I hear this.
TerryTurnbuckle
I called this months ago. It was so obvious watching his delivery that a cerebrospinal fluid leak repair was necessary
SweetBabyRayKingsThickThighs
A Spinal Tap procedure
Joemo
This procedure goes to 11.
Canosucks
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?
BeshensVisitsDbacks2024
What caused this leak?
Is this another major internal issue?
Is this Front Office or analytic?
Who gets the credit for this one?
TerryTurnbuckle
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
Bill M
Better movie than
EVERY
SINGLE
ONE
you mentioned.
Fever Pitch Guy
Terry – You have a major oversight …… Purple Rain!!!!!!
TerryTurnbuckle
My bad. +1 Fever for the catch
BeshensVisitsDbacks2024
Help, Our pitcher is leaking!
Bill Plummer just passed March 12, we are hosed!
BeshensVisitsDbacks2024
Paul’s Blackburn was always my favorite.
Attystephenadams
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!
TerryTurnbuckle
You buy the card and we’ll all sign it.
BeshensVisitsDbacks2024
Sue us.
BeshensVisitsDbacks2024
There are ballots that are not visible here, but they are on his back.
BeshensVisitsDbacks2024
Paul’s on the Back Burner until he gets Back.
BeshensVisitsDbacks2024
The Spinal Backs like Paul as a BACK UP.
Kendrick liked Montgomery and now would like his MontyBack.