After rejoining the Boston Red Sox at the trade deadline, left-hander James Paxton has been diagnosed with a potentially season-ending calf injury. On Sunday, Paxton limped off the field after injuring his lower leg while attempting to cover first base. He made a sharp move off the mound on a ground ball hit by Yordan Alvarez, but quickly dropped to one knee and had to be assisted off the field by the Red Sox training staff.
“I felt like I got kicked in the calf. Then, I took another step and felt it again,” Paxton said after the Astros swept the Red Sox in a three-game series. “I knew it wasn’t good—it’s my calf, and I felt it pop.”
The 35-year-old was placed on the 15-day injured list shortly after, with a right calf strain. An MRI on Monday revealed a partially torn right calf muscle, which could keep him out for the remainder of the regular season. Despite the injury, Paxton plans to rehab in hopes of returning before the season concludes.
James Paxton has a partial tear of the right calf muscle. Timetable doesn’t look good to return this season, but Paxton is not ready to give up on the season.
— Sean McAdam (@Sean_McAdam) August 13, 2024
Boston acquired Paxton in a trade with the Los Angeles Dodgers, aiming to bolster their injury-hit rotation. Unfortunately, it appears the Red Sox may only get three starts from him this season. Paxton, who signed a one-year, $7 million contract with the Dodgers in the offseason, made 18 starts for Los Angeles with a 4.43 ERA before being designated for assignment in late July. After the trade, he posted a 4.09 ERA in three starts for the Red Sox.
Paxton previously spent the 2022-23 seasons in Boston, missing the entire 2022 season due to a lat tear while recovering from Tommy John surgery. He returned in 2023, pitching 96 innings with a 4.50 ERA and solid strikeout and walk rates.
With Paxton sidelined, Red Sox righty Lucas Sims replaced him after just five pitches and two outs. Boston will now lean on Tanner Houck, Kutter Crawford, Brayan Bello, and Nick Pivetta, with limited depth behind them. Right-handers Cooper Criswell and Josh Winckowski may see increased action as the season progresses.
