Mets Fans Celebrate: New York Mets’ $90 Million Man Set For Another Benchmark in Surgery Recovery; has been cleared to hit live batting practice….

Injuries have made questions about the New York Mets’ pitching staff more pressing since spring training started. But Wednesday’s game produced a more encouraging rotation development.

Not broadcast, right-handed starter Paul Blackburn made his spring debut on the mound in the first inning of a 4-1 loss to the Miami Marlins. Retiring the side on only seven pitches, he generated two groundouts and a swinging strikeout of Connor Norby.

Blackburn, 31, had not seen action for the Mets since Aug. 23, when a 100.3 mph line shot landed on his pitching hand. Six.1 innings of one-run ball were thrown in a Triple-A rehab start eleven days later, but a cerebrospinal fluid leak forced an early end to his season; this was surgically corrected on October 11.

Blackburn arrived in big league camp somewhat behind schedule relative to others vying for slots in the Mets’ rotation due to his recovery schedules. Still, he stayed laser-sharp on his aim of being ready for Opening Day.

Although his first test against another team was short, what Mets manager Carlos Mendoza seen motivated him.

“That’s a huge step for him and for us, the fact that he is facing actual competition,” Mendoza remarked. “I was encouraged with the sinker, which is a pitch from the beginning [pitching coach Jeremy Hefler] has been talking to him [about]… good day of work, and good to see him back on the mound.”

Mendoza also pointed out that he had to visit the bullpen after one inning to toss more because of Blackburn’s low pitch count. Blackburn later stated he experienced some prior nervousness but felt “very good” on the pitch and was able to spin the ball as normal.

Blackburn, an eight-year veteran and 2022 All-Star, spent his whole career with the Oakland A’s until last year’s trade deadline, when the Mets bought him to assist with back end stabilization of their rotation. Early on, that deal produced conflicting results.

Blackburn produced three excellent starts with the Mets, enabling one run over six innings against the Angels, Rockies, and Marlins before his season came to an end. He struggled in two appearances against former A’s friends and the Padres, though, completing the year with a 5.18 ERA over 24.1 innings with the Mets and a cumulative 4.66 ERA across 14 starts.