Blackburn (back) may be ticketed for a spot in the Opening Day rotation if Sean Manaea (oblique) begins the season on the injured list, Anthony DiComo of MLB.com reports. Blackburn will need to prove that he's healthy himself,

There is an axiom around baseball that one can never have too much pitching. The New York Mets are putting their depth to the test early in spring training.

PORT ST. LUCIE — Paul Blackburn’s participation in normal physical activity late last season left him feeling as if his spine was getting crushed. Running, jumping, walking up and down stairs were activities that left him in severe discomfort. Migraines persisted, along with tingling sensations on the left side of his body.

The Mets don't have to add another starting pitcher with guys like Paul Blackburn, Griffin Canning, and Tylor Megill in the organization, but if the right opportunity arose, they probably would add a starter to give them some more insurance.

The Mets boast enough starting pitchers to absorb Montas’ injury, but several of them are question marks heading into the season.

The New York Mets aren’t panicking. It’s too early to panic. And perhaps, in end, there will be no reason to panic at all. But left-hander Sean Manaea’s right oblique strain, on top of righty Frankie Montas’ right lat strain,

The New York Mets have suffered another injury in the starting rotation, and it's another former Oakland A's pitcher.

The New York Mets are linked to fomrer Cy Young Winner Sandy Alcantara in a potential deal to bolster its rotation.