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Try it freePaul Blackburn did not have to wait too long or look too far to find gainful employment.
The Yankees signed the veteran pitcher after he was released earlier this week by the Mets — and added him to the active roster in time for Thursday’s series opener against the Red Sox.
“[He provides] some depth, some length. Our pen right now is not filled with a lot of guys that give us a lot of length,” Aaron Boone said before the game. “And obviously [there is] a track record of success in the big leagues.
“So he’s a guy that’s built up that gives us some coverage if we get in a situation where we need some real length.”
The Mets designated Blackburn for assignment after Friday’s loss to the Mariners to clear a roster spot for pitching prospect Nolan McLean, who made his major-league debut the following day.
The 31-year-old Blackburn officially was released Tuesday, and he claimed he immediately was contacted by the Yanks.
He was supposed to join the team Wednesday in Tampa, but he encountered weather issues in Texas and had to be rebooked and rerouted to Newark.
“Just gonna assume the bullpen. Available,” Blackburn said when asked about his expected role. “It was tough [to be released], but I think it’s kind of a good place to start over. Just gonna try to contribute any way I can here for the rest of this year and keep going.
“I honestly didn’t know what to expect or what to do, but I just tried to stay ready and continue to throw and be available until someone called.”
The righty started the season on the injured list and did not pitch until June 2 after dealing with right knee inflammation late in spring training.
Blackburn went 1-5 with a 6.00 ERA in 12 games (nine starts) with the Mets since they acquired him from Oakland at the 2024 trade deadline.
He pitched five strong innings in relief (two earned runs) against the Braves on Aug. 13 but he was DFA’d two days later.
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“I feel like I got myself into a good spot physically and just timing-wise with my mechanics, I was in a good spot the last month. I feel like I’m still in that spot,” Blackburn said. “I think just the group that’s in here, you know it’s obviously talent everywhere you look, and [they’re] in a really good spot for the postseason.
“I mean, it’s the New York Yankees, so that’s cool, I guess.”
Another potential long man on the way is Ryan Yarbrough, who is being built up in a minor league rehab assignment after missing time with an oblique injury.
To make room on the active roster for Blackburn, the Yanks optioned righty Allan Winans to Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre.