Mets president of baseball operations David Stearns said Wednesday that Paul Blackburn will begin the season on the 15-day injured list due to right knee inflammation.

Fantasy Impact

While Blackburn's previously repaired back caused no issues this spring, a new knee injury will delay his start to the 2025 campaign. He’ll be shut down for about a week to 10 days, but the Mets expect him to return before the end of April. The 30-year-old righty had been penciled into a long-relief role, and his absence could open the door for another depth arm to crack the Opening Day roster.

Paul Blackburn is expected to open the season in the Mets' bullpen.

Fantasy Impact

Blackburn was unable to secure a spot in the rotation after allowing eight earned runs over 12 2/3 innings this spring. He would likely be first in line to join the rotation should the Mets suffer an injury during the season.

Paul Blackburn (back) is scheduled to start Wednesday's Grapefruit League game against the Marlins, Tim Healey of Newsday reports.

Fantasy Impact

Blackburn is expected to throw one or two innings in his first spring outing as he works toward securing a spot in the Mets' Opening Day rotation. With Sean Manaea (oblique) and Frankie Montas (lat) both set to begin the season on the injured list, Blackburn, Tylor Megill, and Griffin Canning are competing for rotation spots. If the Mets proceed with a six-man rotation, as president of baseball operations David Stearns suggested earlier this offseason, all three could open the year as starters.

Paul Blackburn is in competition for a spot in the Mets Opening Day starting rotation.

Fantasy Impact

With Sean Manaea and Frankie Montas expected to open the season on the injured list, Blackburn, Griffin Canning and Tylor Megill are expected to compete for the final two spots in the rotation.

Paul Blackburn threw a one-inning live batting practice session Tuesday as he continues his recovery from offseason surgery, per Andrew Tredinnick of NorthJersey.com. Blackburn worked with the Mets this winter to add more movement to his sinker and sweeper after a rough start with the team following last season’s trade from Oakland.

Fantasy Impact

Blackburn dealt with multiple injuries in 2024, including a right hand contusion and a spinal fluid leak that ended his season. He is slightly behind Tylor Megill in the race for one of the final spots in the Mets’ six-man rotation, but if he regains his command and movement, he could push for a starting role. Fantasy managers in deep leagues should monitor his progress this spring.