SAN DIEGO — Paul Blackburn’s throwing session Sunday told him he won’t be ready to take his next turn in the rotation.
It left the Mets to place the right-hander on the injured list, two days after he took a line drive off the right hand and sustained a contusion.
For now, Blackburn’s roster spot belongs to Huascar Brazoban, who was recalled from Triple-A Syracuse to provide the team with an extra reliever.
Tylor Megill will be recalled from Syracuse to start in Blackburn’s spot at some point this week.
The Mets, with Monday’s scheduled day off, have the option of bringing back David Peterson on normal rest Thursday against the Diamondbacks and letting Megill face the White Sox next weekend.
Megill has struggled for the Mets this season, pitching to a 5.17 ERA in 10 appearances for the team.
He was most recently removed from the major league roster following the trade last month that brought Blackburn from Oakland.
Blackburn said he was stiff and sore while playing catch on Sunday and will use the next two weeks to eliminate the inflammation in his hand.
Blackburn was struck on the hand by David Peralta’s 100-mph line drive on Friday while shielding his head and was forced to leave in the third inning.
It’s the latest setback for Blackburn in what has been a frustrating season: a stress reaction in his right foot caused him to miss 2 ½ months while pitching for the Athletics.
“I had eight starts to begin the year and ended up fracturing my foot and then came back from that and I had five starts,” Blackburn said. “I feel like I haven’t been able to get into a rhythm or get into a routine and getting a chance to help a team get into the playoffs and then take a line drive off the hand, so it’s a little frustrating.”
Mendoza had hoped Brazoban would get a “reset” at Syracuse – the manager was concerned about the manner in which the right-hander had reacted to his recent struggles – but the reliever never left the team on Friday (in case the Mets needed to place Blackburn on the IL) after he was optioned to clear roster space for Dedniel Nunez.
