A Rough Spring Start for Blackburn
Paul Blackburn’s 2023 spring training has been a tale of struggle and resilience. The right-handed pitcher found himself in familiar trouble during his last outing, where he allowed four runs against a Red Sox lineup brimming with regulars. Despite a brief return for a strong second inning, Blackburn’s performance was far from ideal. This pattern of inconsistency carried over to his latest start on Friday night, where he faced the Washington Nationals.
Early Inning Woes
In his most recent outing, Blackburn managed to work around baserunners in the first two innings, showing some promise. However, his sinker began to flatten out in the bottom of the third, and his troubles quickly mounted. Washington’s young stars, CJ Abrams and James Wood, capitalized on this by launching two consecutive home runs. Nathaniel Lowe followed with a hard-hit single, sealing Blackburn’s early exit from the game. Max Kranick, who relieved Blackburn, managed to limit further damage, but Blackburn’s line for the night was a grim 2.1 innings, three runs, five hits, two walks, and zero strikeouts. His spring ERA now stands at an alarming 11.57 with a WHIP of 2.57 through three outings.
Manager’s Perspective
Despite the discouraging statistics, Mets manager Carlos Mendoza remains optimistic about Blackburn’s progress. Mendoza emphasized that the right-hander’s recent injuries and offseason have taken a toll, and the focus is on Blackburn’s physical and mental well-being rather than his spring performance. "What he went through this offseason," Mendoza noted, "it’s just a matter of him feeling good right now. The velo is there. He’s using all of his pitches. The sinker was good against righties. He left it up against the lefties today, but the early results we’re not looking at." Mendoza’s confidence in Blackburn underscores the team’s belief in his potential.
Blackburn’s Resilience
While the results have been frustrating, Blackburn himself maintains a positive outlook. He acknowledged the challenges he’s faced but drew on his experience to stay focused. "Results help going out there, but this isn’t the first time I’ve been hit around," he said. "I feel like I’ve been doing this for a long time and you’re going to run into these stretches where things just don’t work out. It definitely is a little frustrating." Blackburn’s competitive nature drives him to push through these tough periods, and he is determined to be at his best when the regular season begins. "Being the competitor that I am, I’m not happy how things ended up there. But I am happy with where I’m at now and how my body is feeling. I feel like I’m going to be ready to start the season when the time comes."
The Rotation Race
Blackburn is currently vying for one of the final rotation spots with Tylor Megill and Griffin Canning, as both Sean Manaea and Frankie Montas are sidelined. The competition is intense, and each pitcher is eager to secure a spot in the starting lineup. Blackburn’s recent performances may have put him at a disadvantage, but his determination and the support of the coaching staff suggest that he is far from out of the running. The coming weeks will be crucial as Blackburn and his competitors continue to showcase their abilities in the final spring training games.
Looking Ahead
As the regular season approaches, Blackburn’s focus remains on fine-tuning his mechanics and building his confidence. The struggles of spring training are a hurdle, but they also provide an opportunity for growth and improvement. With the backing of his manager and a strong sense of self, Blackburn is determined to turn his spring performance around and prove his worth come opening day. The coming weeks will be critical for Blackburn and the Mets as they prepare for the challenges ahead.
