Oakland Athletics right-hander Paul Blackburn (foot) will be activated from the 15-day injured list on Friday to start against the hosting division-rival Los Angeles Angels, according to manager Mark Kotsay. Blackburn hasn't pitched since May 10 after suffering a right-foot stress reaction, so although the matchup is a juicy one, fantasy managers should still have plenty of hesitation in streaming him. He had a 4.11 ERA in eight starts before suffering his foot injury earlier this year. Kotsay said that Blackburn will be on a pitch count around 65 to 70 pitches, which is another reason to avoid him in fantasy lineups on Friday. The 30-year-old veteran broke out in 2022 and was selected to his first All-Star game and he's developed into a solid starter since that point. His weak 17.8% career strikeout leaves a lot to be desired in fantasy, though, especially while pitching in Oakland.
Paul Blackburn Appears In Relief Again In Second Rehab Outing
Oakland Athletics right-hander Paul Blackburn (foot) appeared in relief again in his second minor-league rehab appearance for Triple-A Las Vegas on Sunday and threw gave up no runs on one hit with a walk and a strikeout in just two-thirds of an inning. Blackburn also hit a batter while throwing 23 pitches. The 30-year-old didn't look good in less than an inning of work in his first rehab appearance last week for Single-A Stockton, either, so the A's will surely want to see more from him on his rehab assignment before reinstating him from the 15-day injured list in the second half of the season. Blackburn certainly needs to stretch his arm out more if he's going to rejoin the A's starting rotation. Before his foot injury, he went 3-2 with a 4.11 ERA and 1.15 WHIP with 36 K's and 13 walks over eight starts. He'll be a low-upside, deep-league streaming option when he's back in Oakland.
Ross Stripling, Paul Blackburn To Stay In Single-A
Oakland Athletics right-hander Ross Stripling (elbow) came away from his first minor-league rehab start with Single-A Stockton on Tuesday feeling healthy. His next rehab outing is expected to come with Stockton on Sunday. Right-hander Paul Blackburn (foot) also came away feeling healthy from his first rehab outing with Stockton on Tuesday, and his next appearance will also come with Stockton on Sunday. Stripling is recovering from a right elbow flexor strain, while Blackburn is rehabbing from a right foot stress reaction. Barring setbacks, both pitchers should rejoin Oakland's starting rotation later this month, although neither have much upside for fantasy managers with the lowly A's. Stripling gave up two runs in just two-thirds of an inning on Tuesday, while Blackburn also went just two-thirds of an inning and gave up three earned runs with Stockton.
Ross Stripling, Paul Blackburn Look Shaky In Rehab Outings
Both right-handers Ross Stripling (elbow) and Paul Blackburn (foot) had uneven performances in their minor-league rehab appearances for Single-A Stockton on Tuesday night. Stripling started the game and gave up two runs (one earned) on two hits (one homer) while walking one and striking out one in just two-thirds of an inning. Blackburn, meanwhile, came on in relief and also only went two-thirds of a frame, allowing three earned runs on two hits while walking two and fanning one. Both pitchers failed to even reach the 30-pitch mark. Stripling and Blackburn should advance up the minor-league ladder for their next rehab starts, but neither middling hurler will probably be ready to rejoin Oakland's rotation for the start of the second half of the season. Blackburn is probably the more attractive streaming option in deep fantasy leagues when healthy, but neither has much upside at all.
Oakland Athletics right-hander Paul Blackburn (foot), who landed on the injured list on May 13 with a right-foot stress reaction, threw a bullpen session at Chase Field on Saturday that simulated two innings. Blackburn's next step will be facing hitters in a live batting practice session on Wednesday, July 3. Fellow right-hander Ross Stripling (elbow) is on the same progression as the 30-year-old Blackburn, although Blackburn has been out slightly longer. He'll eventually need to go on a minor-league rehab assignment as well, so it's likely that we won't see Blackburn in Oakland's starting rotation until the second half of the season. Before injuring his foot, he had gone 3-2 with a 4.11 ERA and 1.15 WHIP with 36 strikeouts and 13 walks in 46 innings over his eight starts. Blackburn could be useful in deep fantasy leagues in the right matchups, but his career 17.8% K rate doesn't give him much upside.
Oakland Athletics right-hander Paul Blackburn (foot) was scheduled to throw a bullpen session on Thursday, June 20, but there is still no timetable to return. This was the first time that Blackburn has thrown off a mound since being put on the injured list on May 13 with a right-foot stress reaction. The fact that there's still no timetable for his return means that fantasy managers in deeper leagues shouldn't expect him to return to Oakland's starting rotation until after the All-Star break in mid-July. The 30-year-old is going to need to throw multiple bullpens before facing live hitters and then going on a minor-league rehab assignment. Barring a setback, the former 56th overall pick by the Chicago Cubs in 2012 should be back before both Ross Stripling (elbow) and Alex Wood (shoulder). In eight starts (46 innings) before his injury, Blackburn had a 4.11 ERA, 1.15 WHIP and 36 K's.
Oakland Athletics right-hander Paul Blackburn (foot) was still in a walking boot as of Tuesday. Manager Mark Kotsay said that Blackburn will probably be re-evaluated when the team returns to Oakland to open its next homestand on June 4 against the division-rival Seattle Mariners. Blackburn was placed on the injured list with a right-foot stress reaction and doesn't appear to be very close to a return. The 30-year-old's IL stint is retroactive to May 11, but as of right now, it looks like he won't return to the A's until the middle of June. At best, Blackburn will be deep-league streaming option when the matchups are right when he's healthy. Before injuring his foot, he went 3-2 with a 4.11 ERA (4.16 FIP) and 1.15 WHIP with 36 strikeouts and 13 walks in 46 innings over his eight starts.
The Oakland Athletics placed right-hander Paul Blackburn on the 15-day injured list (retroactive to May 11) on Monday with a stress reaction of the fifth metatarsal of his right foot and recalled left-hander Easton Lucas from Triple-A Las Vegas in a corresponding move. Blackburn will be in a walking boot for at least two weeks, so he's not going to be ready to return to the A's when he's eligible. Before injuring his foot, the 30-year-old Blackburn went 3-2 with a 4.11 ERA (4.18 FIP) and 1.15 WHIP with 13 walks and 36 strikeouts in 46 innings over his eight starts. With a career 6.9 K/9 in 399 big-league innings, Blackburn has a low fantasy ceiling when he's healthy, especially while pitching for the A's. His turn in the rotation, which comes up next on Thursday against the Houston Astros, could be taken by Joey Estes.
Paul Blackburn Holds Marlins In Check, Earns Third Win
Oakland Athletics starting pitcher Paul Blackburn went seven innings in Saturday's 20-4 victory, holding the Marlins to just one run on four hits and one walk while striking out three on his way to earning his third win of the season. Blackburn began the season with three straight quality starts where he didn't allow a single run, then had a three-game rough patch before getting back on track Saturday. The 30-year-old now has a 3-1 record with a 3.00 ERA and 1.02 WHIP through seven starts. The righty's FIP, xFIP, and SIERA are all below 4.00 which suggests he's pitched as well as it seems, and with Oakland being more competitive than expected to this point, Blackburn could continue to be solid pitching depth for fantasy as long as he's selectively deployed. However, you'll need to look elsewhere for strikeouts with just 31 in 42 IP and a 12.7% K-BB%.
Paul Blackburn Smoked For Six Runs Against Orioles
Oakland Athletics starter Paul Blackburn allowed six runs on seven hits in four innings of work during Sunday's 7-6 win over the Baltimore Orioles. He struck out five batters while issuing one walk. The long ball killed Blackburn in this one as he gave up three home runs in the contest. The 30-year-old started the season with three straight scoreless outings and garnered streaming appeal in the process, but he has now given up 13 runs over his last three appearances. Blackburn will face the Miami Marlins in his next projected start, which is an appealing matchup, but he is tough to trust right now.
