BOSTON — The Red Sox acquired left-hander James Paxton before last month’s trade deadline in an effort to bolster their pitching staff. Now, it looks like Paxton could miss some time.
Paxton left his start Sunday after just two outs (five pitches) with what appeared to be an injury to his right leg. According to the Red Sox, it’s a right calf strain, though there’s fear it’s worse. Paxton was on crutches in the clubhouse postgame and will have an MRI on Monday to determine the severity.
Paxton got Yordan Alvarez to hit a grounder toward first base but couldn’t cover first base as Dom Smith fielded the ball. Paxton collapsed to one knee near the mound and grabbed the inside of his right leg/calf. Manager Alex Cora and a team trainer immediately came out to the mound to see Paxton, who could barely walk off the mound under his own power.
“I just felt like I got kicked in the calf,” Paxton said. “I turned around and took another step and felt it again. I was like, ‘Oh, it’s not good. It’s my calf.’ I felt it pop.”
Reliever Lucas Sims was brought in to replace Paxton, who faced just three batters. The injury came at a particularly bad time for the Red Sox, who used four pitchers (including Josh Winckowski for three innings and Brad Keller for four) in a bullpen game Saturday, a 5-4 loss. The team’s starting pitching depth has been tested in recent days with Nick Pivetta having his rotation spot skipped due to arm fatigue and his expected replacement, Cooper Criswell, going on the COVID injured list after getting sick.
Paxton, who made 19 starts for the Red Sox last season, was re-acquired in a July 26 trade that sent prospect Moises Bolivar to the Dodgers, who had designated Paxton for assignment earlier in the week. In two starts for the Sox since the deal, the lefty had posted a 4.35 ERA, allowing five earned runs and 11 hits in 10⅓ innings. He allowed two earned runs on five hits in six innings in his last start against the Royals on Aug. 5.
Paxton’s next start was scheduled for Friday in Baltimore. If he has to miss any time, the Red Sox could re-install Criswell (who can’t return until Friday) in their rotation or the club could look to a Triple-A option like Quinn Priester, Richard Fitts or Zach Penrod. An outside reinforcement could come in the way of Rich Hill, who at 44 is a free agent looking for a team and threw a showcase for scouts Friday in Waltham. The Red Sox were represented at that showcase.
Here’s a full rundown of all the depth options who could step up.
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