Mets’ Paul Blackburn has spinal procedure that will require significant recovery time

Mets left-hander Paul Blackburn underwent a CSF (cerebrospinal fluid) leak repair on Oct. 11, the Mets announced Tuesday.

Per the team, the return to play for this type of procedure is four-to-five-months.

That timeline could put Blackburn on track to be ready to pitch by Opening Day.

Blackburn is eligible for arbitration for the third and final time this offseason, and is projected to make a shade over $4 million.

It’s hard to envision Blackburn as a member of the Mets’ 2025 starting rotation from the outset, but he could be a valuable depth option

Blackburn was ruled out for the season prior to Game 2 of the Wild Card Series against the Brewers due to a back ailment that involved tightness and leaking spinal fluid.

Blackburn said in September that he had gotten roughly 10 PRP (platelet-rich plasma) injections and that he was targeting a return late in the regular season. But the issue did not go away, resulting in him being shut down for the year.

He initially missed a start after getting hit in the hand by a comebacker in San Diego on Aug. 23, and was set to reenter the rotation on Sept. 9 in Toronto after making a rehab start on Sept. 4.

However, the back issue then cropped up, resulting in a more extended absence and — eventually — the end of Blackburn’s season.