James Paxton suffered a right calf strain in the first inning of his start today against the Astros, forcing the veteran left-hander from the mound. Paxton’s fifth pitch of the game got Yordan Alvarez to ground to first baseman Dominic Smith, but Paxton came up limping when leaving the mound to cover first base.
Speaking to MassLive.com’s Chris Cotillo (links to X) and other media after the game, Paxton said he heard a popping sound in his leg. Paxton was using crutches to move around in the clubhouse, and he’ll get an MRI tomorrow to access the damage.
A trip to the 15-day injured list seems inevitable, and it is up in the air whether or not Paxton will even be able to pitch again in 2024. Even if the MRI reveals the relatively good news of “just” a lower-grade strain, such injuries can tend to linger. It is also possible the Red Sox could shut Paxton down for the season if the team falls out of the postseason race — today’s 10-2 loss dropped the Sox three games back of a wild card berth, and extended Boston’s losing streak to four games.
The calf strain is another disheartening turn in a career that has been marked by injuries, as Paxton was on pace to avoid the Major League injured list for the first time since 2013. He hasn’t dealt with calf issues in the past, though he missed time last year with a pair of right leg injuries, in the form of a hamstring strain and knee inflammation.
Paxton was with the Red Sox during that 2023 season, before signing a one-year, $7MM deal with the Dodgers last winter. Since Paxton stayed healthy and has made 21 starts (and thrown 100 1/3 innings) in total this season, he earned an extra $6MM in contract incentives, which the Dodgers already covered before he was dealt back to Boston in late July. The trade was seen as a bit of a surprise given how Los Angeles has been ravaged by rotation injuries this season, and Paxton had a respectable 4.43 ERA in his 89 1/3 innings as a Dodger. His Statcast numbers, however, were much less impressive, and today’s injury also underlines whatever concerns the Dodgers might’ve had about Paxton remaining healthy.
From Boston’s perspective, the Paxton trade brought a familiar face and some rotation depth back to Fenway Park, but it looks like the Red Sox might have to again scramble to add arms. Quinn Priester was acquired from the Pirates in another pre-deadline trade and could be called up from Triple-A, or Brad Keller could be stretched out to work in piggyback situation, or as a bulk pitcher behind an opener. Cooper Criswell will miss at least the rest of the next week due to a placement on the COVID-related injury list, while Nick Pivetta is expected to make his next turn in the rotation after his last start was skipped to provide extra rest.
Really surprised by this. Big, if true.
They can call up Fitts in a few days. Only legit prospect starter in the entire organization (other than Sandlin), only Fitts threw around 80p Friday.
There is little to no help coming from within the system. Sure, there are some guys like Penrod and Gonzalez who may have a future as relievers, but guys in the system before the draft (no ucl rehabbers) It’s just those 2 and Sandlin only has 3 games above A ball.
What happens when ignore drafting pitching every year and focus on middle infielders.
Rich Hill coming soon!
That’s what I suggested on another feed when I first heard the news.
I guess it’s down to giving Winckowski 3-4 innings a start or (oof!) Brad Keller for 3-4. Their season is over. Actually, when they fell on their faces coming out of the All-Star break it was over.
I started feeling like it was over yesterday.
Snake bitten.
Paxton is injured or mediocre with the Sox. Goes elsewhere and flashes descent results. Comes back to Boston and is injured again.
I bet if the Sox had traded for Sale at the deadline he would have broken a toe in his second start.
Yep. Not a lot of good breaks for the Red Sox this year.
Bc – More accurately, they took a high-risk roll of the dice a second time, and it came up snake eyes again.
Blame the Sox for all these high risk chances, that’s not something they deserve sympathy for.
He wasn’t exactly Cal Ripkin Jr. when he was with the Yankees.
Ripken, please
Oops. My bad.
The Big Balsa hurt again. Who would have ever imagined that would happened so quickly. /s
Paxton gave the Red Sox more innings than Giolito in 2024.
he’s made of glass…
I’m working at a minor league game and team orthopedic surgeon is in press box. He saw clip and immediately said he tore his Achilles.
This sounds very much like an Achilles injury. Let’s see if it’s the case
Move Dominic Smith to a 2 way player he had the 2nd best pitching line on the day. He could move back and forth between the mound and 1B intra-game as the match up required. It can’t be worse than most of the bullpens performance.
He’s Little Shohei!
Yes why not!
James Paxton on the Red Sox IL? I am completely shocked. Who could have saw this coming?
Not Breslow
If Dom fields that ball and easily runs to first, Paxton goes six solid and the bullpen gets crushed.
Just how do these players continually sneak baby cows on to the field anyway? Why would they want to? The calves always get injured.
How long before Breslin announces signing Rich Hill?
I’d say before noon tomorrow.
Jimmy Breslin?
since sending sale out as closer in ’18 they’ve dealt with pitcher injuries like the plague. soak some schilling blood on some stockings and hang it over the gates and let the curse of betts passover.
the big Maple felled yet again. feel bad for him, but not for the Red Sox. The Dodgers have major rotation issues yet let him go. There had to be a reason why.
I suggested the Sox should have been nothing but sellers at the trade deadline. trades are always a toss up as to how things shake out. Schwarber in 2021 panned out. This trade deadline has not.
Paxton is hurt. Sims and Garcia have been lit up like the proverbial pinball machine. O’Neill, who may have had some trade value, is now hurt.
the late season duldrums are back in Boston. the pitching is gassed with little relief (both in actual pitching and from their brutal schedule the rest of the way- Rangers, Orioles, Astros again, and Diamondbacks are the next 4 series) in sight.
at this point, save Casas and Story until next season, bring up some young arms, and play this out. they overachieved this season as it is, and are falling back to earth.
Well he helped with the push for …. One game…
You get what you pay for
Shame on Breslow for not acquiring another starter he did just enough to get some media love for not standing pat. He knew his other starters never threw so much before but didn’t act.