Morning Briefing: Paul Blackburn to Return Monday

Good morning, Mets fans!

Prior to Friday’s game, manager Carlos Mendoza told the media that Paul Blackburn will start for the Mets on Monday in the team’s series opener in Toronto. Blackburn landed on the IL just a couple of weeks ago with a hand contusion thanks to being hit by a comebacker, but he is now set to return to help fortify what has been a strong Mets rotation down the stretch.

Wild Card Update

The Mets remain tied for the third Wild Card spot after both they and the Braves won on Friday night. The Padres won as well, but the Mets gained a game on the Diamondbacks who were blown out by the Astros. The Mets are tied with the Braves, 1.5 games behind the Diamondbacks, and 3.0 games behind the Padres with 21 games to go.

Latest Mets News

The Mets (77-64) defeated the Reds (68-74) 6-4 in 10 innings on Friday night. New York went up 2-0 and then again 4-2, but the Reds responded each time. The game headed to extra innings, where Mark Vientos gave the Mets their eighth straight win with a two-run walk off home run. It was his second two-run homer of the night.

The Mets’ series with the Reds continues on Saturday with Jose Quintana (7-9, 4.27 ERA) on the mound for New York and Cincinnati’s starter still to be determined. First pitch is scheduled for 4:10 p.m. ET and the game will be broadcast on SNY.

Latest MLB News

Former Met Dominic Smith refused an outright assignment to Triple-A and elected free agency after being DFA’d by the Reds. Smith had a .545 OPS in nine games with Cincinnati, however he was much better with the Red Sox earlier in the year, where he posted a .706 OPS in 84 games.

The Red Sox selected the contract of reliever Luis Guerrero from Triple-A and designated Rich Hill for assignment. Hill had recently joined Boston for his age-44 season, but he only got the chance to pitch in four games with the team, allowing two runs in 3 2/3 innings. Guerrero, meanwhile, has been great in Triple-A, owning a 3.31 ERA in 42 relief appearances.

The Red Sox are also planning on activating shortstop Trevor Story on Saturday and have him return to the lineup at shorstop. That will move Ceddanne Rafaela, who had been playing shortstop nearly every day, to second base. Story has not played since April 5 when he suffered a dislocated shoulder. In just eight games this year, he has a .617 OPS.

The Dodgers announced that they placed starter Gavin Stone on the injured list with shoulder inflammation. The team also optioned reliever Michael Petersen and recalled pitchers Landon Knack and Justin Wrobleski. The 25-year-old Stone had been the Dodgers’ best and most reliable starting pitcher this year, but he becomes the latest Los Angeles pitcher to end up on the injured list. In 25 starts, Stone was 11-5 with a 3.53 ERA.

Latest on MMO

In the latest Mets Minors Recap, Michael Mayer breaks down a hitless performance from Jonah Tong in his Double-A debut.

Jack Markowski evaluates the current state of the National League Wild Card race.

David Melendi talks about the unexpected contributions Danny Young has made out of the Mets’ bullpen.

On This Date in Mets History

1973: Jerry Koosman‘s scoreless streak came to an end when he allowed his first run in 31 1/3 innings during the third inning of a game against the Expos. Koosman’s streak was a Mets record that stood for nearly 40 years before R.A. Dickey had a stretch of 33 scoreless innings in 2012.

2000: Manager Bobby Valentine received the Branch Rickey Award, which goes to those who contribute unselfishly to their community and are strong role models for others. Valentine became the first non-player to win the award.

Born On This Date: Brian Stokes (1979), David Newhan (1973), Jason Isringhausen (1972), Darren Bragg (1969), Rick Sweet (1952)

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