Mets Announce Exciting Move on All-Star Pitcher Before Cardinals Game

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Josh Valdez | Last updated May 2, 2025 10:46 PM ET

The New York Mets' pitching staff couldn't have gotten off to a better start this season, as they brought a MLB-best 2.60 ERA ahead of Friday's game against the St. Louis Cardinals. It's one of the biggest revelations of the young season so far, as the Mets' pitching was considered a weakness before the games started.

For example, converted starting pitcher Clay Holmes led baseball with 13 blown saves as a closer for the New York Yankees last season, and ace Kodai Senga pitched just one regular-season game in 2024 due to a shoulder injury. The latter hurler then posted a 12.60 ERA in three postseason appearances.

However, both are performing well so far, as Holmes has a 2.95 ERA and Senga has a 1.38 ERA. Meanwhile, fellow starters David Peterson (3.06 ERA), Tylor Megill (1.74 ERA), and Griffin Canning (2.61 ERA) are all dealing too.

New York will soon add an All-Star arm to this red-hot group, via the team's social media.

Right-hander Paul Blackburn (knee/illness) was placed on a rehab assignment with High-A Brooklyn on Friday afternoon. The 31-year-old was an All-Star with the Athletics in 2022 and owns a 22-28 record with a 4.85 ERA in 86 career appearances.

Blackburn allowed two runs on four hits and three innings while adding six strikeouts in his High-A outing on Friday.

We have made the following roster moves. pic.twitter.com/G1D0olZtSm
— New York Mets (@Mets) May 2, 2025

The 6-foot-1-inch, 196-pounder threw 31 strikes out of 41 pitches. New York manager Carlos Mendoza previously said that he wants him to throw 65-70 pitches before calling him up to the big leagues, via SNY's Tom Hanslin.

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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