One of the Boston Red Sox’s major trade deadline pickups last month, veteran left-hander James Paxton, has a partly torn right calf muscle and may not be able to pitch in 2024. In the hopes of being able to return to the rotation this season, Paxton informed reporters on Tuesday that he will work to recover from the injury. Paxton was already added to the club’s injury list on Monday.
Paxton, 35, was acquired by the Red Sox on July 26 from the Los Angeles Dodgers in return for minor-league shortstop Moises Bolivar. Paxton pitched for Boston to a 4.09 ERA and 3.27 FIP in three starts. Paxton pitched for the Dodgers this season with a 4.43 ERA and 4.99 FIP before being traded. Who will take Paxton’s spot in a Boston rotation that was already weakened by injuries is still up in the air. Paxton is on a one-year, $7 million contract and is therefore eligible for free agency this upcoming offseason. Paxton pitched for the Red Sox in 2023 as well.
The Red Sox, on the other hand, are third in the American League East and have a record of 62-55 going into Tuesday’s schedule. They are seven games behind the Baltimore Orioles, who are in first place. In addition, the Red Sox trail the Kansas City Royals by two games for the third and last AL wild-card place.
