Paul Blackburn walked into the A’s clubhouse Friday afternoon, and no one knew who he was. He is Saturday’s starting pitcher, as he is being recalled from Triple-A Nashville to step in for the injured Jharel Cotton and start against the Braves.
Cotton has a lingering blister on his finger and, for now, manager Bob Melvin said the A’s are just pushing back his start a few days. A roster move will be made Saturday when Blackburn is added.
Blackburn, 23, is from Antioch, went to Heritage High School in Brentwood and said he will have a large group of family members and friends on hand for one of the biggest days of his life.