What’s the one thing an athlete craves the most after a long-awaited comeback? Sure, a solid performance matters. Shaking up your opponents? Even better. But above all, it’s the support—the kind that makes all the blood, sweat, and rehab worth it. And that’s exactly what Mets’ veteran pitcher Paul Blackburn is soaking in right now. After being away from the mound for what felt like forever, Blackburn finally made his return this week—and let’s just say, the love he’s getting is off the charts. And what really hits home is the backing from none other than team captain Francisco Lindor himself.
Blackburn returned to the Major League mound on Monday against the Dodgers for the first time since August last year. For the unversed, the star player had been battling a series of health issues, including right knee inflammation and stomach discomfort. However, he rebuilt extremely well during the rehab, which prompted the franchise to take a bet on him in a crucial series, and oh boy! What a return it was. Watching him thrive on the field, Lindor couldn’t help but sing songs of praise.
When quizzed on how it was for Lindor to see his teammate performing after a long absence, Lindor said, “It was amazing. I was super happy, I was happy for him. Definitely been. He’s been going through a lot of things and grinding just as much as anybody, just because he hasn’t played in, doesn’t mean he was his not been working hard, and to see him come out today attack and actually choose game plan. It was huge.” Indeed! It was definitely huge for not just Blackburn but the Mets as well.
Five scoreless innings for Paul Blackburn against the Dodgers in his season debut pic.twitter.com/gZIkOCKmiQ
— SNY Mets (@SNY_Mets) June 3, 2025
Blackburn appeared to be in complete control throughout the game and successfully dismantled the Dodgers’ lineup. But what made everyone hooked to the game was how he baffled the two-way phenom, Shohei Ohtani. Blackburn struck him out twice, and in the final showdown with Ohtani that truly defined his night: two runners on, the tension thick, and the game still hanging in the balance. Blackburn calmly induced a groundout from the two-way superstar, shutting the door on a Dodger rally and completing five brilliant, scoreless innings. And just like that, his franchise clinched a 4-3 win over the mighty Dodgers in the extra innings.
To say it was Blackburn’s night would hardly be an exaggeration. Besides, Blackburn didn’t just rely on his four-seam fastball, but also strategically employed a diverse array of pitches—cutters, curveballs, and changeups, thereby proving his mettle. The respect for his finesse was clearly visible in Lindor’s words, who further added, “It was huge, not only for him, but for the team as well. And I’m proud, I’m happy, and I’m glad he went away.”
But amidst the celebrations and admirations, all might not be well for the Mets.
Mets make a critical move after 25YO star faces concerning blow
The Mets surely won the first game against the Dodgers, but it did not come without a cost. Mark Vientos faced a concerning blow during the extra innings and limped out of the game with a hamstring injury. Eventually, he has been sidelined from the team for quite some time now, making room for a roster shake-up, and the Mets are not shying away from making another bold call, and this time it’s in the form of Ronny Mauricio.
Credit: Wikimedia Commons
Mauricio has been spectacular in Triple-A Syracuse, and hence, the move is quite understandable. The infielder has appeared in nine games with Triple-A Syracuse this season, and has posted three home runs, eight RBIs, and dons a .515 batting average. But this is not the most intriguing factor about his return.
The star player last played in the Major League in the 2023 season for the franchise. He appeared in 26 games back then in which he managed to hit 2 home runs, nine RBIs, seven stolen bases, and a .248 batting average. But now, it will be crucial for him to maintain the red-hot form that he has depicted in Triple-A. As the series advances, it would be crucial to see how Mauricio helps the Mets. Will it be similar to what Blackburn did? Well, that remains to be seen!
The post “Going Through a Lot” – Francisco Lindor Opens Up After 31YO Veteran Baffles Shohei Ohtani in Stunning Upset appeared first on EssentiallySports.