James Paxton Finalizes One-Year Deal With Dodgers
James Paxton and the Los Angeles Dodgers officially agreed to a one-year, $11 million deal on Tuesday that includes a $1 million Opening Day roster bonus and another $1 million in performance-based incentives. The oft-injured 35-year-old Canadian hurler went 7-5 with a 4.50 ERA (4.68 FIP) and 1.31 WHIP with 33 walks and 101 strikeouts in 2023 for the Boston Red Sox in 19 starts, his first year pitching in the big leagues since 2021. He was sharp in the first half before posting an ERA near 7.00 in the second half while dealing with a knee injury. Paxton should be healthy in spring training and will have more fantasy upside with the move to LA if he makes the team's starting rotation, but he's also a huge health risk, having thrown only 117 2/3 innings since 2020.
Source: New York Post - Jon Heyman
Free-agent left-hander Source: New York Post - Jon Heyman
James Paxton Moved To 60-Day Injured List
James Paxton (calf) to the 60-day injured list on Friday, likely ending his season due to a partial calf tear. The Red Sox also selected the contract of left-hander Joely Rodriguez from Triple-A Worcester and optioned right-hander Greg Weissert to Worcester in other moves. The 35-year-old Paxton was initially placed on the 15-day IL on Aug. 12, but even at that time, it was pretty obvious that he wasn't going to have enough time to make a return in 2024. Paxton began the year with the Los Angeles Dodgers and made 18 starts with them. He's gone 9-3 this year but with a 4.40 ERA (4.79 FIP), a 1.44 WHIP and a 73:50 K:BB in 100 1/3 innings over 21 starts. Not only has his strikeout rate dropped under 20% this year, but he's also sporting a career-worst 11.4% walk rate. Fantasy managers holding him in deeper leagues can let go.
Source: Boston Herald - Mac Cerullo
The Boston Red Sox moved left-hander Source: Boston Herald - Mac Cerullo
James Paxton Dealing With Partially Torn Calf
James Paxton (calf) has a partially torn right calf and is running out of time to be able to pitch again this year for the Red Sox. Given Paxton's long history of injuries and reputation as a slow healer, it would be almost a miracle to see him back in the big leagues again in 2024. The 35-year-old veteran southpaw did go 9-3 this year with the Red Sox and Los Angeles Dodgers, but everything else was mostly a disappointment, especially his career-low 16.7% strikeout rate and 11.4% walk rate in 21 total starts covering 100 1/3 innings pitched. Fantasy managers that have him rostered in redraft leagues should let go at this point. Either Josh Winckowski or Cooper Criswell will likely step into Paxton's rotation spot in Boston moving forward.
Source: MLB.com - Ian Browne
Boston Red Sox left-hander Source: MLB.com - Ian Browne
James Paxton Goes On Injured List
James Paxton (calf) on the 15-day injured list on Monday with a right-calf strain and reinstated right-hander Brayan Bello from the paternity list in a corresponding move amid a flurry of roster moves to begin the new week. The oft-injured Paxton had to be helped off the field on Sunday during his start against the Houston Astros and is likely going to need more than two weeks to heal up. The 35-year-old veteran southpaw will be eligible to return from the IL on Aug. 27. He's gone 9-3 in 2024 but with a 4.40 ERA, 1.44 WHIP and only 73 K's in 21 starts with the Los Angeles Dodgers and Red Sox. The Canadian southpaw won't be back in Boston's starting rotation until some time in September.
Source: The Athletic - Jen McCaffrey
The Boston Red Sox placed left-hander Source: The Athletic - Jen McCaffrey
James Paxton Dealing With Right-Calf Strain
James Paxton (calf) is dealing with a right-calf strain, according to Rob Bradford of Audacy Sports. The southpaw left Sunday's game in the first inning after suffering the injury. He was seen limping off the field and needed assistance on the dugout stairs. While the 35-year-old does not have a timeline, he could be expected to miss several weeks of action. Prior to the injury, he held a 4.42 ERA and a 1.43 WHIP with a 73:50 BB:K through 99 innings of work on the year with the Dodgers and Red Sox. If Paxton were to be out of the rotation for an extended period, Cooper Criswell would likely reclaim a starting role.
Source: Rob Bradford
Boston Red Sox starting pitcher Source: Rob Bradford
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