New York Mets right-hander Paul Blackburn won’t pitch against the Toronto Blue Jays this series due to a sore lower back, manager Carlos Mendoza said on Monday.
Blackburn was expected to return from the 15-day injured list to face the Blue Jays. Instead, right-hander Tylor Megill was scheduled to start Monday for the Mets, who are tied with Atlanta for the last NL wild card spot with 19 games left.
Blackburn (5-4, 4.66 ERA) had to leave in the third inning of an August 23 game against San Diego after being hit on his pitching hand by a line drive. He went on the IL two days later.
Mendoza mentioned that Blackburn’s back started to feel sore on Sunday and added that Blackburn will be checked again in two days.
Megill has a 3-5 record with a 4.95 ERA in 12 games, 11 of which were starts.
