Paul Blackburn got roughed up in the first inning of Sunday’s loss to the Boston Red Sox, but manager Carlos Mendoza was still happy with the pitcher’s performance during his second spring training outing.
The 31-year-old allowed four runs on three hits over just 0.1 IP in the first inning before being replaced on the mound, and then returned to throw a 1-2-3 second inning. Mendoza said after the Mets’ exhibition game the team is “not worried about results right now” and more focused on Blackburn “feeling good physically and then working on his pitches.”
“Obviously they got him in the first inning where he got behind in hitters,” Mendoza said. “Especially locating the two-seam, which is a pitch he’s working on right now. When you’re facing a lineup like that and you’re getting behind in counts, they’re going to make you pay. It was good to see him go back out there for a second inning, second up, and make some adjustments.
“He was a lot better. Good step for him. Coming off of, we all know, a freak injury. And the fact that he’s out there competing, we’re not worried about results right now. It’s more about getting him feeling good physically and then working on his pitches. But overall, good.”
The right-hander missed the end of the 2024 regular season and the postseason after what was originally an IR-stint with a hand injury. He then dealt with a back ailment and eventually had a spinal procedure, specifically a CSF (cerebrospinal fluid) leak repair, in October.
Blackburn tossed a perfect inning in his spring debut on Feb. 26 and is on track to be ready by Opening Day as he competes for a starting role following injuries to Sean Manaea and Frankie Montas. Griffin Canning, Tylor Megill, and potentially Jose Ureña are in the mix with Blackburn, while Kodai Senga, Clay Holmes, and David Peterson penciled in to round out the starting rotation.
After Sunday’s outing, he acknowledged some control issues with his sinker, but still “felt good” and said he was able to work things out with catcher Francisco Alvarez between innings.
“I felt good out there,” Blackburn said. “Sinker’s been a pitch that I’ve been working on. Today, just couldn’t really control it. Kind of getting more movement than I’m used to. But that’s kind of what spring training’s for.
“I feel like Alvy and I talked in between innings after the first and made a little bit of an adjustment as far as set-up and just location-wise. I feel like it was better in the second inning.”
Blackburn added that he’s been working on his sinker and sweeper since being cleared to throw over the offseason. He credited pitching coach Jeremy Hefner and the staff for helping him try to “keep the ball on the ground” and “get better movement” by adjusting his grip or placement on the ball. Overall, Blackburn is happy he is past the injury and can focus on getting better on the mound.
“It’s nice kind of going out there, and now it’s going away from the health aspect and more focused on just pitches and fine tuning some things,” Blackburn said. “Making sure I’m ready to go here in three weeks.”
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