James Paxton was designated for assignment as the corresponding roster move to Los Angeles Dodgers prospect River Ryan getting called up for his MLB debut Monday night.
Their decision to DFA Paxton made room for Ryan being added to the Dodgers’ 40-man and active rosters.
Paxton signed a one-year, $7 million contract with the Dodgers that included a bonus for making their Opening Day roster for the Seoul Series or Dodger Stadium opener, and performance incentives. The veteran additionally received a $3 million signing bonus.
Paxton and the Dodgers originally agreed to a one-year contract for $11 million, but the deal was reworked amid some health concerns — specifically a right knee injury that ended his 2023 season early.
Dodgers president of baseball operations Andrew Friedman and Paxton both expressed confidence moving forward, and the left-hander certainly lived up to that by making every turn in the rotation.
In doing so, Paxton accrued $600,000 each time he made his sixth, eighth, 10th, 12th and 16th start this season. He also earned a $1 million bonus for making an 18th start of the year, which came Sunday against the Boston Red Sox.
Paxton went 8-2 with a 4.43 ERA, 4.97 FIP and 1.46 WHIP for the Dodgers. He leads the National League with 48 walks.
What’s next for James Paxton?
Given the number of teams in search of starting pitching with the MLB trade deadline eight days away, it’s likely Paxton is going to get claimed off waivers.
The Dodgers then will have an opportunity to trade Paxton, who figures to be an attractive candidate.
More players figure to find themselves in a similar situation as the Dodgers begin to welcome back pitchers. That starts when Clayton Kershaw is poised to come off the 60-day injured list for his 2024 debut on Thursday.
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