The Red Sox transferring Paxton (calf) to the 60-day injured list Friday, Mac Cerullo of the Boston Herald reports.
The 35-year-old was placed on the 15-day 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, but there's an outside chance Paxton will be available in mid-October should Boston make a playoff run.
Further testing revealed Paxton's right calf is partially torn, and it's unclear whether or not he'll be able to return in 2024, Ian Browne of MLB.com reports.
Paxton was initially diagnosed with a calf strain but the injury is more severe than anticipated. A timeline isn't available for Paxton's return and with roughly six weeks left in the regular season, so it's not a guarantee he'll be back prior to the playoffs or be available for any potential postseason starts. Per Gabrielle Starr of the Boston Herald the Red Sox plan on inserting Cooper Criswell (COVID-19 injured list) into the rotation in Paxton's place.
Red Sox's James Paxton: Placed on IL with calf strain
Rotowire
The Red Sox placed Paxton on the 15-day injured list Monday with a right calf strain, Jen McCaffrey of The Athletic reports.
Paxton suffered the injury during Sunday's 10-2 loss to the Astros and required assistance off the field. The southpaw was scheduled to undergo an MRI on Monday, but the severity of the calf strain has not yet been revealed. The Red Sox are likely to turn to either Josh Winckowski or Cooper Criswell (COVID-19 injured list) to serve as their new fifth starter in place of Paxton, who is first eligible to return from the IL on Aug. 27.
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Red Sox's James Paxton: Dealing with calf strain
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Paxton was diagnosed with a right calf strain after exiting Sunday's start against the Astros, Chris Cotillo of MassLive.com reports.
Paxton suffered the injury during the opening frame of Sunday's contest, as he recorded two outs and allowed two hits on five pitches before departing. The severity of the strain isn't yet known, but the initial diagnosis is still an encouraging development given how difficult a time the 35-year-old had leaving the field after the injury. According to Chris Cotillo of MassLive.com, Paxton was sporting crutches after the game and is scheduled to undergo an MRI on Monday, which could indicate that he's headed to the injured list.
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Red Sox's James Paxton: Departs with injury Sunday
Rotowire
Paxton was removed from Sunday's start against the Astros during the first inning due to a right leg injury, Matt Kawahara of the Houston Chronicle reports.
The left-hander allowed two hits and recorded two outs before suffering the injury, and he could barely put any weight on his right leg as he was helped off the field. The specifics of the situation are unclear, and Paxton's status should be updated by the team in the near future.
Paxton (9-3) earned the win over Kansas City on Monday, allowing two runs on five hits and one walk while striking out four batters over six innings.
This was Paxton's second start since returning to Boston in a trade with the Dodgers in late July. The veteran left-hander struggled in his first outing with the Red Sox, but he was much better Monday, limiting the Royals to a pair of runs. Paxton departed after six frames with his first quality start since June 17 against Colorado. He has a shiny 9-3 record on the campaign, but his 4.42 ERA, 1.46 WHIP and 69:49 K:BB over 93.2 innings aren't good indicators of sustained success.
Red Sox's James Paxton: Takes loss in return to Red Sox
Rotowire
Paxton (8-3) took the loss Tuesday against Seattle, allowing six runs (three earned) on six hits and a walk across 4.1 innings. He struck out five.
Paxton ran into trouble in the fifth inning and didn't get much help defensively. There were a couple errors behind him and Paxton exited the contest with the bases loaded and one out, handing the ball off to Zack Kelly in what wound up being a five-run fifth inning. In his last five starts, Paxton has logged an 8.18 ERA with 20 strikeouts in 22 innings. He's tentatively scheduled to face the Royals on Monday.
