A’s general manager David Forst speaks to reporters after catcher Sean Murphy was traded to the Atlanta Braves on Monday.
Paul Blackburn is ready for the 2023 MLB season to begin.
Speaking with reporters on Feb. 15 at HohoKam Stadium, the 29-year-old explained that he feels "really good" and "couldn't be happier" about where he is physically after being shut down in the second half of the 2022 season.
"The way my body feels and where my mind is, I'm just excited to get back," Blackburn said. "I feel like it's been forever since I've been able to go out and compete against somebody." (H/T MLB.com's Martín Gallegos)
Blackburn also revealed that in the second half, he had no control over his pitches and the pain he felt never went away and got "worse every day."
"Looking back, it was just something where I couldn't finish pitches and everything kind of flattened out on me," Blackburn continued. "My location, instead of everything being down by the knees, it got up by the things and that's where you get hurt.
"I got hurt in that second half."
Blackburn's splits from the first and second half of the season were eye-opening.
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In 18 games before the All-Star break, he went 9-9 with a 3.62 ERA and gave up just nine home runs in 97 innings pitched. In three starts after the break, Blackburn was 1-2 with an 8.79 ERA and gave up six home runs in 14.1 innings pitched.
It soon was revealed that the All-Star had a tear in his middle finger, causing him to miss the remainder of the season. Overall, Blackburn finished his sixth season with the A's with a 7-6 record and a 4.28 ERA in 21 starts.
Now healthy, Blackburn said he is confident in his ability to become an All-Star-caliber player again, especially considering how last season ended for him.
Also, with Cole Irvin and A.J. Puk traded to the Baltimore Orioles and Miami Dolphins, respectively, Blackburn is the longest-tenured A's player remaining.
And while he jokingly said that it's "scary" to be the elder statesman of the club, he is making sure the other players are in a good headspace in order to be the best players they can be and have meaningful relationships.
"The more comfortable someone can feel, the better you're going to get," Blackburn continued. "I want all the new guys to feel comfortable and know there's a lot of people here, player and staff-wise, that you can talk to if you need help with something or see something going on."
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With 48 starts to his name, Oakland's new additions, such as Japanese flamethrower Shintaro Fujinami, certainly will look to Blackburn for guidance during the long 162-game season.
And when that time comes, Blackburn will be ready, just like he has been ready for the season.