Nolan McLean's big-league promotion last weekend resulted in the Mets designating Paul Blackburn for assignment, and now the veteran right-hander is free to pitch in a different uniform.
The Mets announced the release of Blackburn on Tuesday, after he declined an outright assignment to the minors and cleared waivers on Monday. While the team is still responsible for the remainder of the 31-year-old's salary, he's only making the pro-rated league minimum.
Blackburn dealt with a lot this season, which started with him on the IL with right knee inflammation.
The right-hander didn't make his season debut until June 2 against the Los Angeles Dodgers, in which he pitched five scoreless innings. From there, things went downhill for the 31-year-old.
After a slew of ineffective outings, Blackburn went back on the IL with a right shoulder impingement, which he had been rehabbing for the last month.
Healthy once again but with few spots available after the Mets fortified their bullpen at the trade deadline, the veteran was activated on Aug. 13 and pitched that day against the Atlanta Braves.
In what would end up being his final appearance for New York, Blackburn went five innings in what was a blowout loss to save the rest of the bullpen.
In seven games (four starts), the right-hander went 0-3 with a 6.85 ERA.
Joining the Mets at last season's trade deadline, Blackburn only made 12 appearances during his time in New York after spending eight seasons playing for the Athletics.
In his career, the veteran owns a 4.96 ERA in 452 innings.
Meanwhile, McLean said Friday he was "surprised" to get the promotion, but is ready for his MLB debut. He's pitched to a 2.45 ERA with 127 strikeouts in 113.2 innings in the minors this season. The 24-year-old made five starts in Double-A before heading to Triple-A, where he owned a 2.78 ERA and 1.09 WHIP across 16 outings.
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