The Mets strengthened their rotation depth, acquiring from the As for pitching prospect . Both teams have announced the deal. New York was pre sed into looking for a starter by the recent injuries to and . New York was contemplating dealing from their rotation as recently as a few weeks ago. Scott went down with a UCL sprain while Sengas return from the injured list was short-lived. He strained his calf in his season debut and might mi s the rest of the year. Blackburn has mi sed a good chunk DeAndre Jordan Jersey of the year himself. He was shelved from early May onward by a stre s reaction in his right foot. The As only reinstated him from the injured list last week. Blackburn to sed five innings of four-run ball against the Angels in his final start in an Oakland uniform. Including his eight appearances before landing on the shelf, he owns a 4.41 ERA through 51 innings. The 30-year-old Blackburn made an All-Star team a couple seasons ago. Hes neverthele s more of a solid back-end arm than a high-end starter. Blackburn doesnt throw especially hard and typically doesnt mi s a ton of bats. Last seasons 22.4% strikeout rate was a personal high, though that number typically lands closer to this years 18.3% mark. Blackburn attacks the strike zone and keeps the ball on the ground at an average or better clip. Blackburn has posted an ERA in the low-4.00s in three straight seasons. While the As have used him exclusively out of the rotation, the Mets could give him a look in long relief. New Yorks starting five consists of , , , and . Blackburn could stay stretched out for multiple innings in the bullpen or displace one of Peterson or Megill from the rotation. is also on hand but the Mets seem to prefer him in a relief role rather than stretching him back out for starting work. It comes at a fairly modest financial cost. Blackburn is playing on a $3.45MM arbitration salary, around $1.132MM of which remains. Hell be eligible for what should be a slight raise next season before reaching free agency after the 25 campaign. New York is paying a 110% tax on whatever salary they take on this summer, so this will cost them roughly $2.38MM for the stretch run. Morris, 22, was New Yorks third-round pick a year ago. The University of Nevada product has combined for a 3.51 ERA in 92 1/3 innings between two A-ball levels. Hes striking out an above-average 24.1% of opponents against a 7.6% walk rate. ranked the 63 righty as the #26 prospect in the New York farm system. BA credits him with a solid four-pitch mix and above-average athleticism and control. Theres no headline offering in the arsenal, but Morris has the makings of a potential starter down the line. first reported the Mets and As were nearing a Blackburn trade. confirmed that agreement was in place. first reported the As would get Morris in return. Image courtesy of USA Today Sports. Dennis Smith Jr. Jersey