Paul Blackburn injury the latest hit to Mets’ pitching depth with Opening Day roster now set

HOUSTON — The Mets’ Opening Day roster is complete. 

Instead of heading to the bullpen, Paul Blackburn will start the season on the 15-day injured list with right knee inflammation, president of baseball operations David Stearns said Wednesday. 

The injury occurred after Blackburn’s most recent spring training outing, when he reported soreness in the knee the two days following his appearance.

The right-hander received an injection in the knee and won’t throw for 7-10 days, but Stearns said he expects him back before the end of April. 

That means three potential pieces of the rotation will open the year on the IL, although there is optimism Sean Manaea (oblique) and Frankie Montas (lat) are headed in the right direction, with Manaea already back in a throwing program and a recent MRI exam of Montas’ injury showing “good healing,” meaning he could begin throwing soon. 

With Blackburn out, both Max Kranick and Huascar Brazobán were informed they would be on the Opening Day roster.