2025 Transactions: Blackburn to Yankees, Quantrill to Braves

With 10 days left before the postseason roster deadline, the Yankees signed former Met Paul Blackburn and added him to their active roster. Also on August 21, the Braves claimed now-former Marlin Cal Quantrill to help the team finish out the 2025 season.

Blackburn signs with Yankees

The Yankees signed pitcher Paul Blackburn on August 21. Per Blackburn himself, he expects to work out of the team’s bullpen.

Blackburn only pitched in seven games this season, as the right-hander battled knee and shoulder injuries. He was DFA’d in mid-August amidst a roster squeeze, as the Mets promoted rookie Nolan McLean and shifted Frankie Montas to the bullpen.

Aside from potentially being an option for the rotation if the Yankees sustain another injury to their staff, Blackburn works with six pitches, including a sweeper and curveball with depth, along with a sinker that had 1.6” above-average sink compared to other right-handers.

Quantrill claimed by Braves

The Braves claimed Cal Quantrill off waivers on the 21st, per the New York Times. Quantrill has spent all of 2025 with the Marlins.

Quantrill gave up a good amount of well-hit contact (8.7 Barrel/PA) this season. He’s leaned more on his cutter, a pitch that gave him significant success with the Guardians in previous seasons after dialing it back less when he was with Colorado in 2024. It’s a funky pitch that netted him misses up in the zone.