Paul Blackburn saves bullpen in surprise return to Mets as his weird season takes another tur

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Acce s the Mets beat like never before Join Post Sports+ for exciting subscriber-only features, including real-time texting with Mike Puma about the inside buzz on the Mets. Paul Blackburns weird season took another strange turn late Tuesday night when he was awoken by a me senger banging on his hotel room door after mi sing a phone call informing him the Mets were planning to activate him the next day from Aaron Civale Jersey the injured list. At that point Blackburn was set for a rehab start for Triple-A Syracuse. But the Mets had utilized Justin Hagenman for four innings in relief in and wanted Blackburn to join the bullpen as Hagenmans replacement. Definitely surprised, Blackburn said Wednesday at Citi Field before the . Blackburn was utilized on this night, pitching the final five innings and allowing two earned runs. Explore More He saved the bullpen, manager Carlos Mendoza said. Even so, whether the veteran Blackburn will stick for long is unclear. The Mets will need a roster spot to call up Nolan McLean for his major league debut on Saturday. Blackburn, who doesnt have a minor league option remaining, is a prime DFA candidate. Paul Blackburn, who allowed two runs over the final five innings, saved the Mets bullpen even more damage in their 11-6 lo s to the Braves on Aug. 13, 2025. Jason Szenes / New York Post CHECK OUT THE AND Blackburn, who spent six weeks on the IL with a right shoulder impingement, had last pitched for the Mets on June 28 in Pittsburgh. Its a season in which he also mi sed two months rehabbing from knee inflammation. Blackburn also had a stomach virus that contributed to resetting his rehab clock early in the season. Overall, hes pitched in 12 minor league games as part of rehab a signments this season. Paul Blackburn throws a pitch during the Mets lo s to the Braves. Jason Szenes / New York Post There have been times he was on the brink of return only to remain on a rehab a signment with the Mets perhaps trying to maximize the roster. In seven appearances (four starts) for the Mets hes pitched to a 6.85 ERA. I just want to be in a place and pitch, really, Blackburn said. I just want to be somewhere and pitch. The Mets, due to heavy rain, postponed a pregame ceremony to honor as the franchises all-time home run leader. Alonso hit career homer No. 253 on Tuesday to break the record before adding No. 254. The ceremony is now scheduled for pregame on Thursday. Delivering insights on all things Amazins Sign up for Inside the Mets by Mike Puma, exclusively on Sports+ Thank you By clicking above you agree to the and . Enjoy this Post Sports+ exclusive newsletter! The Mets set a franchise record for a season on Tuesday with a third game in which they hit at least six home runs. The season high was seven in Philadelphia on June 21. Entering the day the Mets were the only MLB team this season with three games in which they hit at least six homers. All of Tuesdays six homers occurred with two outs only the fifth time that has occurred in MLB in the expansion era (post-1961). Kevin Herget Jersey