The Yankees and right-hander Paul Blackburn have reached an agreement on a one-year, $2 million contract to keep him in the Bronx, a source told MLB.com’s Mark Feinsand. Feinsand reports that the deal includes incentives of $100,000 for reaching 80, 90, 100, 110 and 120 innings pitched. The club has not confirmed the agreement.
Blackburn, who turned 32 earlier this month, has suffered several injuries throughout his career. In 2024, he posted a 4.66 ERA in 14 starts between the A’s and Mets, missing playing time due to foot and hand injuries.
Following the 2024 season, Blackburn underwent a procedure to repair a cerebrospinal fluid leak in his back. Last season, he began the year with the Mets, but was released in August after being hampered by knee and shoulder injuries and posting a 6.85 ERA.
The Yankees signed Blackburn soon after, and in eight appearances (15 1/3 innings) during the final stretch of the season, he posted a 5.28 ERA. He struggled in his only postseason appearance with New York, allowing four runs in 1 1/3 innings against the Blue Jays in the opener of the American League Division Series.
Blackburn was selected in the first round of the draft by the Cubs in 2012 and was traded to the Mariners in July 2016. After the 2016 season, Seattle sent him to the Athletics, with whom he debuted in the Major Leagues in 2017 and was selected for the All-Star Game in 2022.
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