TORONTO — Right-hander Paul Blackburn did not come off the injured list to start Monday night against the Blue Jays as planned because of lower back discomfort. Tylor Megill made the start instead.
Blackburn had landed on the IL with a right hand contusion after being hit by a line drive last month in San Diego. Everything pointed to a return this week for Blackburn. But after his lone rehab start with Triple-A Syracuse, he woke up to pain in his lower back. Both Blackburn and the Mets expected the discomfort to dissipate over the next few days; instead, it worsened on Sunday, forcing Megill into action.
“I’ve never had a back issue,” Blackburn said. “I’ve never felt anything like this.”
The Mets will give Blackburn 48 hours to get a better read on what’s going on with his back. At that point, he can either be slotted back into the rotation or sent for additional testing.
Blackburn said the best-case scenario would be a return this weekend in Philadelphia.
Acquired from the Athletics at the trade deadline to solidify the back end of the rotation, Blackburn has made five starts for New York — three good ones and two rough ones. He has a 5.18 ERA with the Mets.
The Mets had kept Megill in the majors, declining to send him down after his last start, just in case he’d be needed to start this week. In two starts filling in for Blackburn, he’s allowed four runs in 9 1/3 innings. The right-hander has just one quality start in 11 tries this season and a 4.95 ERA for 12 games overall.
Reliever Dedniel Núñez, meanwhile, has felt better of late, providing the Mets with optimism he’s close to beginning a throwing program. Núñez made one appearance in late August between stints on the IL for forearm soreness. Manager Carlos Mendoza said Núñez could commence a throwing program in the next two days; if he doesn’t, the club may opt for an MRI to see what’s causing the discomfort in Núñez’s arm.
(Photo of Paul Blackburn from Aug. 23: Orlando Ramirez / Getty Images)
