Mets place RHP Paul Blackburn (hand) on the injured list

New York Mets right-hander Paul Blackburn was placed on the 15-day injured list on Sunday with a bruised right hand.

Blackburn left his start against the San Diego Padres in the third inning on Friday after being hit in the hand by a comebacker.

Mets manager Carlos Mendoza told reporters on Sunday that Blackburn is not expected to be out for any additional days after his 15-day absence.

“He went out there and played catch (on Sunday). Stiff and sore as expected,” Mendoza said. “… He should be ready and fully built up when he can come off the injured list.”

Blackburn, 30, is 1-2 with a 5.18 ERA in five starts for New York since being signed from the Oakland Athletics on July 30.

He pitched six one-run innings in three of his first four games for the Mets, but allowed five runs in 2 1/3 innings in Friday’s start.

In a related move, New York recalled right-hander Huascar Brazoban from Triple-A Syracuse on Sunday.

Brazoban, 34, has a 0-1 record and a 6.30 ERA in nine relief appearances for the Mets since joining from the Miami Marlins last month.

New York goes into Sunday’s game 2 1/2 games behind the Atlanta Braves and is therefore in contention for the last wild card spot in the National League.

–Field level media