Paul Blackburn becomes another Mets pitching question mark after spinal surgery

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Paul Blackburns 2025 Opening Day may be in jeopardy, but he and the Mets hope his spinal fluid leak is fixed.  The Mets right-hander underwent a cerebrospinal fluid leak repair on Oct. 11, the club announced Tuesday.  Paul Blackburn appeared in just five games with the Mets.  Denis Poroy-USA TODAY Sports  The procedure, done by Dr. Wouter Schievink at Cedars-Sinai in Los Angeles, typically allows a player to return Willie Wilson Jersey  in four to five months.  Blackburn arrived in a deadline trade from the As and pitched in five games before a series of injuries began.  Explore More  He was struck in the right hand by a line drive in San Diego on Aug. 23, which sent him to the injured list. Blackburn was set to return following a Sept. 3 rehab start, but he was scratched with what originally was called lower back discomfort.  Upon further investigation, that back discomfort was diagnosed as a spinal fluid leak in his back, which ended his season.  Blackburn, a 30-year-old, back-end starter, pitched to a 4.66 ERA in 14 total starts with the As and Mets this season and will be entering his final year of arbitration.  Blackburn is entering his final year of arbitration.  Getty Images  , he would be due somewhere in the $4-5 million neighborhood and would represent further depth for what right now is  Set to hit free agency are Sean Manaea, Luis Severino and Jose Quintana.  Promising youngster Christian Scott will mi s the 2025 season following Tommy John surgery.  Kodai Senga and David Peterson are the , with Blackburn, Tylor Megill and perhaps Jose Butto, along with prospects such as Brandon Sproat, expected to compete in spring training.  Evan Sisk Jersey