Report: Mets acquire Paul Blackburn from the A's

Blackburn missed nearly three months with a stress reaction in his foot

The Mets continued in their pursuit of starting pitching depth ahead of Tuesday’s trade deadline, reportedly acquiring RHP Paul Blackburn from the A’s.

ESPN’s Jeff Passan was the first to report the Mets had acquired Blackburn. The Mets will send their 25th ranked prospect RHP Kade Morris to Oakland for Blackburn, per Pat Ragazzo of SI.com.

Blackburn missed nearly three months this season due to a stress reaction in his foot, and made his first start off the injured list last week against the Angels. He is 4-2 with a 4.41 ERA in nine starts this season, having allowed 45 hits, 25 runs, and 14 walks with 38 strikeouts and eight home runs allowed in just 51 innings this season.

Blackburn has held left-handed hitters to a 192/.236/.327 line this season. He profiles as a back-of-the-rotation starter, seemingly a 1-for-1 replacement to Adrian Houser, who the Mets designated for assignment last week but before they lost Kodai Senga to a high grade calf strain on Friday night against the Braves.

Blackburn, 30, is arbitration eligible for the final time in 2025, and can be a free agent after next season. He has a lifetime 21-26 record with a 4.83 ERA in 81 appearances, 77 starts during his eight-year big league career.

He has made one relief appearance since the 2019 season.