Boston Red Sox left-hander James Paxton (calf) told WEEI's Rob Bradford on Wednesday that he plans to retire this offseason. Paxton has decided to call it quits after finishing the 2024 season on the 60-day injured list with Boston due to a partial tear in his right calf. The 35-year-old Canadian southpaw has had trouble staying healthy in recent years and won't attempt a comeback. He began the year pitching in the Los Angeles Dodgers' starting rotation and even won nine games, but he was eventually cut after posting a 4.43 ERA (4.99 FIP) with a 1.45 WHIP and a career-low 16.4% strikeout rate in 18 starts. Paxton made only three starts in Boston before injuring his calf. Paxton entered the big leagues in 2013 with the Seattle Mariners and spent six seasons with them before bouncing around with the Yankees, M's, Red Sox and Dodgers in 11 total seasons.
The Boston Red Sox moved left-hander 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.
Boston Red Sox left-hander 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.
The Boston Red Sox placed left-hander 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.
Boston Red Sox starting pitcher 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.
Boston Red Sox starting pitcher James Paxton has been pulled from Sunday's outing against the Houston Astros. The veteran southpaw limped to the dugout after recording two outs and giving up two hits. The exact injury is uncertain right now but there should be more information on Paxton soon. In his absence, right-hander Lucas Sims replaced Paxton on the mound. Fantasy managers will have to check back for another update on Paxton. UPDATE: Paxton limped off the field and was favoring his right leg while having to be helped down the dugout stairs. It's unclear how serious his injury is, but knowing his extensive injury history, there's a good chance the veteran southpaw will be forced to miss time.
The Boston Red Sox are acquiring left-hander James Paxton from the Los Angeles Dodgers on Friday, according to sources. It's unclear what the Red Sox have shipped to LA in exchange. The 35-year-old veteran southpaw spent last season with the Red Sox and will now return to Beantown after being designated for assignment by the Dodgers recently. In 89 1/3 innings for the Blue in 2024, Paxton was mostly ineffective, posting a 4.43 ERA (4.96 FIP) with a 1.45 WHIP, 64 strikeouts and a league-high 48 walks in his 18 starts. He wasn't much better last year for the BoSox, going 7-5 with a 4.50 ERA (4.68 FIP) and 1.31 WHIP with a 101:35 K:BB in 96 innings and 19 starts. In addition to losing his control this year, Paxton was also sporting a career-low 16.4% strikeout rate. The move to Boston isn't likely to suddenly help Paxton find his stuff.
Left-hander James Paxton is being designated for assignment by the Los Angeles Dodgers on Monday, according to sources. In his place, right-hander River Ryan is expected to be added to the 40-man roster in order to make his first big-league start on Monday versus the division-rival San Francisco Giants. The Dodgers don't have the space for the 35-year-old veteran left-hander with both Clayton Kershaw (shoulder) and Tyler Glasnow (back) coming off the injured list this week to rejoin LA's starting rotation. Paxton picked up his eighth win of the season on Sunday versus the Boston Red Sox, but overall he was pretty inconsistent, posting a 4.43 ERA and 1.45 WHIP with a career-low 16.4% strikeout rate and bloated 12.3% walk rate in 89 1/3 innings over his 18 starts in Hollywood. Paxton is unlikely to stay with the Dodgers if he clears waivers.
Los Angeles Dodgers starting pitcher James Paxton had one of his worst outings of his career during Sunday's game against the San Francisco Giants. It didn't seem like anything went right for Paxton throughout this contest. The southpaw gave up nine runs on 12 hits over four innings of work in the loss. He struck out four batters while allowing a pair of walks as well. Before this, Paxton was actually pitching fairly well over his last few outings. He'll look to rebound before the All-Star break against the Milwaukee Brewers.
James Paxton Fans Eight In Monday’s Win Over Rockies
Los Angeles Dodgers pitcher James Paxton (7-1) struck out eight over seven innings during Monday's 9-5 win at the Colorado Rockies. Paxton also recorded his sixth quality start, allowing two hits, one earned run, and one walk while picking up his seventh win of the season. Overall, Paxton has a 3.65 ERA and a 1.31 WHIP, striking out 43 and walking 33 in 66 2/3 innings. Fantasy managers of Paxton will have to wait until next Monday for his next start, an ideal matchup at the White Sox, where he is projected to square off against Chicago ace Garrett Crochet.