Oakland Places All-Star Starter on Injured List

 

The Oakland Athletics are losing their All-Star starting pitcher. 

Starter Paul Blackburn is headed to the 15-day injured list with inflammation in his right middle finger. 

Updated Oakland Athletics roster/depth chart:

•SP Paul Blackburn (finger inflammation) placed on 10-Day IL.
•OF Cal Stevenson, SP JP Sears promoted.
•INF Jed Lowrie DFAd.

Roster/Depth Chart: https://t.co/RN3IVoeCt7

Lineup Tracker: https://t.co/WcjF71SkIJ#DrumTogether pic.twitter.com/UbOzf5plXz

— Jason R.R. Martinez (@JasonRRMartinez) August 10, 2022

Blackburn was scheduled to start Wednesday afternoon against the Los Angeles Angels, prior to the move. Recently acquire JP Sears will start instead. 

The breakout pitcher has posted a 4.28 ERA, 1.26 WHIP, with 89 strikeouts across 111 innings. He leaves behind a 7-6 record. 

Since after the All-Star break, Blackburn has not pitched like an All-Star. He's been atrocious, throwing an 8.79 ERA over 14 innings in three starts. 

Prior to the All-Star break, Blackburn was solid, posting a 3.62 ERA across 18 starts. He had 77 strikeouts across 97 innings. 

Let's hope the twenty-eight-year-old can return to his early season form once he returns from his injury. 

Photo Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-USA TODAY Sports