James Paxton’s injury is less than ideal for the Red Sox

This season, James Paxton was given another opportunity when the Boston Red Sox acquired him via a trade with the Los Angeles Dodgers a few days before the trade deadline. The organization views Paxton’s history with the Red Sox favorably as they look to him to contribute in the impending stretch run.

Paxton’s success in Beantown is being slowed by all-too-familiar physical problems, though, as the Red Sox just placed the 35-year-old lefty on the 15-day disabled list with a calf strain.

Paxton injured his calf during the Red Sox’s 10-2 loss to the Houston Astros on Sunday night; he lasted just 0.2 innings after he needed to limp off the field after trying to cover first base. The veteran southpaw underwent an MRI on Monday and Paxton himself thought that his injury was “pretty bad”, per ESPN.

Red Sox manager Alex Cora’s prognosis wasn’t all that much better. James Paxton, 35, is “in pain,” according to Cora, and they’ll be watching to see what transpires while he spends some time on the IL. The timing of Paxton’s trip to the Illinois League is not ideal for the Red Sox. Additionally, they have Cooper Criswell, another starter, recovering from a seven-day COVID-19 injury. However, it’s possible that Criswell won’t be fully recovered in time for his first day of eligibility to return.

Boston might have to rely on Josh Winckowski to start some games going forward because both Paxton and Criswell are sidelined. With six starts under his belt this season, Winckowski is likely to have the first opportunity to fill the fifth spot in the rotation while the two injured starters recover. The Red Sox are counting on Nick Pivetta, Tanner Houck, and Kutter Crawford to start their next three games.