As the Mets rotation moves closer to full health and a potential logjam, the team has begun to get inquiries about trading Paul Blackburn, two sources told The Post.
Frankie Montas has one rehab start remaining and perhaps two. Sean Manaea is a little further behind that. But if they return and the Mets incur no other rotation injuries, the team would have eight starters for five spots.
The Mets already have six and Blackburn has been the odd-man out, becoming the long-man in the bullpen since coming off the IL to make a spot start on June 2 at Dodger Stadium.
Now, usually when you think you have too much starting pitching, you get bit; so trading starting depth this early is not common. Kodai Senga, in the midst of lowering his MLB-best ERA to 1.47 with 5 2/3 shutout innings Thursday, landed at the corner of the first base bag handling a high feed from Pete Alonso and went down clutching his right hamstring and was removed from the game. His status was not immediately revealed by the Mets.
