NEW YORK -- The Mets designated pitcher Paul Blackburn for assignment late Friday, according to a source, likely ending the right-hander’s rocky tenure with the club.

The move -- which has yet to be confirmed by the team -- removes Blackburn from the club’s 40-man roster, clearing space for the Mets to add rookie Nolan McLean, who is slated to start Saturday against the Mariners.

Blackburn, 31, came to the Mets at the 2024 Trade Deadline, making five starts before landing on the injured list with a bruised right hand. While sidelined, he was diagnosed with a spinal fluid leak in his back, which eventually required surgery and ended his season.

While Blackburn had been set to open this season on the active roster, a bout of right knee inflammation again forced him to the IL. An i

See Full Page