Injured Red Sox Pitcher’s Season Is Officially Over

The Boston Red Sox have transferred southpaw pitcher James Paxton to the 60-day IL on Friday, likely ending his 2024 campaign.

More news: Dodgers’ Shohei Ohtani Joins 40-40 Club in Dramatic Fashion

Red Sox reporter for the Boston Herald Mac Cerullo shared the news via Twitter/X.

The 35-year-old was initially placed in the IL on Aug. 12 due to a partially torn left calf, and he won’t be eligible to return before the end of the regular season.

The Red Sox are currently 3.5 games back of the final wild-card spot in the American league. If Boston is able to create some magic in the postseason, there is a scenario in which Paxton could be available in mid-October.

Paxton suffered the injury during the team’s loss on Aug. 11 against the Houston Astros, 10-2. He required assistance off the field. He was only able to pitch 0.2 innings and allowed two hits, zero runs, and zero strikeouts. It was his third start for the Red Sox since being acquired from the Los Angeles Dodgers on July 26.

Paxton started his 2024 campaign by signing a one-year, $7 million contract with the Dodgers. The original seal was for $11 million but was reworked due to unspecified health issues. In 18 games for the Dodgers, he recorded a 4.43 ERA, an 8-2 record, 64 strikeouts, 4.98 FIP, and a 1.45 WHIP in 89.1 innings.

However, the Dodgers designated him for assignment on July 22 after one of his best starts of the season. A few days later, Paxton was traded back to the Red Sox in exchange for minor-league infielder Moises Bolivar. he recently recorded his 1,000th career strikeout against the team that drafted him, the Seattle Mariners.

Paxotn has been around the block in his major league career, which began when the Mariners selected him in the fourth round of the 2010 MLB Draft. He spent his first six seasons in the Pacific Northwest from 2013-18.

Following his stint with the Mariners, he was traded to the New York Yankees, but his time was limited due to injuries. Paxton recorded a 16-7 record with a 4.16 ERA, 3.93 FIP, and a 1.30 WHIP in 34 starts. Following the 2020 season, he signed back with the Marienrs; however, after only throwing 24 pitches, he was removed due to left elbow discomfort. Two days later, it was announced he would undergo Tommy John surgery, ending his season before he got a chance to settle in.

Paxotn has a long list of injuries and missed time. Unfortunately, that will only extend after the recent news. He holds a 73-41 record with a 3.77 career ERA and 1,005 strikeouts.

More news: Disgruntled Former Scott Boras Client Says Agent ‘Butchered’ His Free Agency