The Los Angeles Dodgers’ roster crunch began when they designated James Paxton for assignment on July 22, which came one day after he earned a win over the Boston Red Sox.
The left-hander was ultimately traded to the Red Sox in exchange for prospect Moises Bolivar.
It marked a reunion as Paxton spent the 2022-2023 seasons with the organization and made 19 starts for them last year after recovering from Tommy John surgery and additional setbacks.
The 35-year-old’s second stint with the Red Sox did not go so well as he made just three starts before suffering a right calf strain that forced him to the 60-day injured list. Paxton is expected to be sidelined until the middle of October, which makes it unlikely he will pitch again this year.
Paxton may have already taken the mound for the final time in his career as he announced plans to retire after the 2024 season, via the “Baseball Isn’t Boring” podcast:
“I’m hoping we can squeak into the postseason and I can get an opportunity to pitch again. But I think after this season, I’m going to be retiring and moving on to the next chapter.”
Paxton believes he is still capable of pitching but expressed a desire to spend more time with his family:
“It’s tough. I think I can still do it, I can still go out there and compete and help a team win. But I just think with where my family is at, and what they need right now, they need me home. I feel the duty and responsibility to be at home with my family, and I’m looking forward to being home with my family and spending more time with them too.”
The Red Sox entered play Thursday with a 74-72 record and four games out of the final American League Wild Card spot. They would need to make the postseason and then potentially reach the AL Championship Series for Paxton to have an opportunity to pitch again.
He went 9-3 with a 4.40 ERA, 4.80 FIP and 1.45 WHIP in 100.1 innings across 21 starts between the Dodgers and Red Sox this season.
James Paxton’s career
Paxton was selected by the Seattle Mariners in the fourth round of the 2010 MLB Draft and spent parts of six seasons with the team before he was traded to the New York Yankees after the 2018 campaign.
Paxton pitched two years in New York and then signed with the Red Sox prior to the 2022 season. After two years in Boston, he signed a one-year contract with the Dodgers this past offseason.
The Dodgers went 14-4 in games started by Paxton.
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