Blackburn’s season done?
SEATTLE — Right-hander
Paul Blackburn is likely to be shut down the rest of the way because of a deep bone bruise on his right hand.
Blackburn, struck by a line drive by Trey Mancini in the fourth inning of a game at Baltimore on Aug. 22, saw a hand specialist in Oakland and has resumed wearing a splint on his hand for at least another week or 10 days.
“He’s going to have a pretty tough time pitching again this year,” manager Bob Melvin said. “It’s probably a stretch to expect he will start. I’m not completely saying that yet, but it looks like it might be difficult for him to pitch.”
Among other issues, the minor-league season will be over, so there will not be options for the rookie righthander to get in any rehab innings.
Blackburn, who is from Brentwood and was acquired from the Mariners for infielder
Danny Valencia last fall, was among the most pleasant surprises for Oakland this season, going 3-1 with a 3.22 ERA after being called up July 1.
“I never expected him to be in the position he put himself in this year,” Melvin said. “Coming out of the spring, we never saw any extended outings out of him, he didn’t get a start. And all he did was come
up here and at one point, he was probably our most effective starter for a stretch. He’s definitely put his name in position for next year for having a rotation spot.”
Minor-league look: With three games to play in the California League season, Class A Stockton is tied with Visalia for a playoff spot with a 33-34 second-half record. Skye Bolt’s 5-for-7, six-RBI day Thursday spurred the Ports’ 22-0 win over Visalia.
Also in position for postseason berths are short-season Class A Vermont, which is 40-30 and leading the New York-Penn League’s Stedler Division, and Double-A Midland, which has a half-game lead for a playoff spot in the Texas League’s South Division..
Triple-A Nashville is in second place in the Pacific Coast League’s American Southern Division, but 23 games behind Memphis. Class A Beloit is seventh in the Midwest League. Susan Slusser is a San Francisco Chronicle staff writer.