James Paxton was not on the Los Angeles Dodgers Opening Day roster for the Seoul Series due to Tyler Glasnow and Yoshinobu Yamamoto starting in the two-game set, but he was active when the team began the domestic portion of their 2024 schedule.
Paxton received a $2 million bonus by being on the Dodgers roster for domestic Opening Day. The veteran left-hander signed with the Dodgers on a one-year, $7 million contract but can earn up to $13 million through incentives.
Paxton’s original agreement with the Dodgers was for one year and $11 million. However, the deal was reworked due to general health concerns, which included right knee inflammation that ended his 2023 season early.
Despite some of those concerns, the veteran starter is confident he’ll be healthy and in position to contribute for the Dodgers this season.
“Just kind of got those innings last year, and I think it was good to build into this year,” Paxton recently said. “I’ll be ready to throw more innings this year. Body feels really good, so I’m ready to go.
“Last year I felt really good. Toward the end I just got a little burnt out. It was really just the last three starts that I didn’t have much left in the tank. I think I gave up, like, 19 runs in not very many innings. I felt really good last season. I put in good work and building toward this year.”
Paxton is making his Dodgers debut Monday night in the series opener against the San Francisco Giants.
He went 7-5 with a 4.50 ERA in 19 starts for the Boston Red Sox last season, but carried a 2.73 ERA into the All-Star break.
Paxton had his best season in 2018 with the Seattle Mariners, posting career highs in innings pitched (160.1), strikeouts (208), strikeouts per nine (11.7), complete games (two) and WHIP (1.10).
James Paxton’s 2024 salary
By being included on the Dodgers’ roster for their Dodger Stadium opener, Paxton increased his guaranteed salary for the 2024 season to $9 million. He can earn an additional $4 million by way of starts made throughout the year.
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