The Mets have a better understanding of what’s causing left-hander Paul Blackburn pain in his lower back.
“It’s a little bit of an unusual baseball injury,” Mets president of baseball operations David Stearns said Saturday at CitiBank Park. “He actually has a spinal fluid leak in his mid-back.”
This is not a long-term health issue, though Stearns acknowledges it sounds “troubling.” However, it is the reason Blackburn has been on the disabled list with a right-hand contusion since August 24.
The 30-year-old journeyman began to feel difficulty after throwing a bullpen session at Citi Field before of his planned start in Toronto last Monday. Now that the team has identified the issue, they are attempting to determine the next stages and when he will be able to return to the rotation.
“We’re working with specialists to figure out the best treatment path for this,” Mr. Stearns added. “From a timing standpoint, I do not have one right now. This is a rather unique baseball injury. He’s a pitcher and a rotational athlete, so we’ll need a little more information before I can estimate a date for his return.
In the meanwhile, Tylor Megill will continue to receive opportunities from the rotation. In 13 games this season, Megill has a 4.48 ERA and 73 strikeouts. He has the highest strikeout percentage among Mets starters (27% over 60 innings).
Blackburn was placed on the injured list after being hit in the hand by a line drive against the Padres on August 23. The Mets had hoped to avoid an IL stint after a CT scan indicated a bruise, but after the veteran starter continued to feel “a lot of stiffness and soreness,” as reported by Newsday’s Tim Healey, he was placed on the 15-day IL.
In 14 starts this season, Blackburn has a 4.66 ERA and a 1.28 ERA. Don’t be deceived by his 5.18 ERA during five Mets starts. That is primarily due to two terrible starts. In his next three starts, he gave up only three earned runs in 18 innings, for a 1.50 ERA.
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