Paul Blackburn excels as Yankees relief ace after switching to sinker
Yahoo Sports • 1 min read • Latest: Aug 10, 2026, 2:00 PM
Last updated Aug 10, 2026
Paul Blackburn pitched for the New York Yankees against the Atlanta Braves on August 9, 2026. Since switching from a cutter to a sinker as his primary fastball in June, Blackburn has achieved a leading 1.17 ERA among MLB pitchers with over 35 innings. His transformation highlights the Yankees' renewed emphasis on the sinker pitch, with Blackburn also noticing improvements in his changeup and curveball confidence. This shift has been crucial to his success as he adapts to a relief role after his previous tenure in the Athletics' rotation.
- •Blackburn replaced his cutter with a sinker starting in June.
- •He achieved a 1.17 ERA since the switch, the lowest in MLB.
- •The Yankees focus on the sinker pitch is part of a larger strategy.
- •Blackburn's secondary pitches have improved significantly.
- •He continues to adapt after transitioning from a starting pitcher.
- 2:00 PMYahoo Sports — How the sinker helped Paul Blackburn transform into a relief ace
"Blackburn’s reversal in fortunes are thanks in large part to swapping out the cutter for the sinker as primary fastball.
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