Before Sunday’s game, the New York Mets announced that they had placed starting pitcher Paul Blackburn on the 15-day injured list and recalled relief pitcher Huascar Brazobán from Triple-A Syracuse.
Blackburn was injured in his last start on Friday, when he struggled against the San Diego Padres. After allowing 10 hits and five runs in 2 1/3 innings, Blackburn was hit in the hand by a hard line drive. Blackburn was examined and then taken out of the game.
Blackburn underwent a CT scan on Saturday that showed no breaks or fractures. He is now on the 15-day injured list with what the team confirmed was a “contusion to the right hand.” The move is retroactive to August 24.
Brazobán was sent to Triple-A Syracuse on August 23 to make room for the return of right-handed reliever Dedniel Núñez. Despite a strong start to the year with Miami, Brazoban has struggled since the trade: 6.30 ERA in 10 innings. Given his years of control of the team and his strong past major league performances, expect Brazoban to find success sooner rather than later.
Blackburn should be back in action on Thursday, August 29. The first day he can return is September 8. Between now and then, the Mets will likely have to either bring Tylor Megill up from Triple-A or let José Buttó return to the rotation. The former seems the most likely outcome.