Paul Blackburn Activated Off IL, Joins Mets Bullpen

Paul Blackburn has been activated off the injured list by the New York Mets and will transition to a bullpen role. The veteran right-hander, who last pitched for the Mets on June 28, had been rehabbing a shoulder issue and completed four outings on a rehab assignment in Triple-A. Despite his prior struggles with a 7.71 ERA before his injury, manager Carlos Mendoza noted Blackburn's team-first mentality in accepting the bullpen assignment. The Mets subsequently optioned Justin Hagenman in a corresponding move.