{
  "id": 5119330,
  "title": "How Paul Blackburn has become Yankees' 'go-to-guy' in bullpen",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/02/how-paul-blackburn-has-become-yankees-go-to-guy-in-bullpen",
  "topic": "culture",
  "section": "Culture",
  "published": "2026-09-02T15:53:01.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Yahoo Sports",
    "slug": "yahoo-sports",
    "url": "https://sports.yahoo.com/articles/paul-blackburn-become-yankees-guy-155301241.html"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Paul Blackburn, a right-handed reliever for the New York Yankees, has proven himself to be the team's go-to-guy in the bullpen. Despite a disappointing debut in 2025 with a 5.28 ERA and 16 hits allowed in 15.1 innings, Blackburn has found success with the Yankees after re-signing him to a one-year, $2 million contract. Now, manager Aaron Boone relies on Blackburn to provide the team with crucial outs, particularly in the pivotal situations before the ninth inning. Blackburn's performance in recent games has been impressive, as he has not allowed an earned run in his last 15 appearances. This consistency has earned him a reputation as one of the most underrated relievers in the American League, allowing just six hits per nine innings in 78 innings this season. With Fernando Cruz out for the year, Blackburn will be essential in providing crucial innings for the Yankees in the postseason.",
  "summary": "It's been a spectacular season for Blackburn with the Yankees.",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}