Paul Blackburn was supposed to get the ball for the Mets' Triple-A affiliate in Syracuse on Wednesday afternoon for one more rehab start, but instead woke up to a commotion at his door.

One of his coaches alerted him that the big club wanted him back in Queens immediately, but not before they ran the offer by the veteran right-handed starting pitcher first.

"We got a hold of him and presented the option," Mets manager Carlos Mendoza said. "Stay there and pitch, or come back and be in the bullpen. Without hesitation, he said, 'I'll come back.' It says a lot about how much he wants to help us, and here he is."

Blackburn had been sidelined since early July with a shoulder injury, which heaped more frustration on an already difficult season. He lost out on a starting rotation spot in spring

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