James Paxton’s latest setback shows Red Sox made another contract mistake
James Paxton exited first Red Sox rehab appearance after only recording two outs
The hits just keep coming.
On Thursday, James Paxton finally made his first rehab appearance for the Boston Red Sox since undergoing Tommy John surgery in April 2021. Unfortunately, the long-awaited step forward lasted about as long as a popsicle on a hot summer’s day, as Jen McCaffrey of The Athletic reported that Paxton exited the game after making two outs with lat tightness.
Paxton has a one-year, $6M deal with a two-year, $26M club option that would keep him in Boston through 2024. If the Sox decline to pick up that option – a very real possibility given his setbacks – he has a one-year, $4M player option for next season.
The Sox always knew they’d be paying him not to pitch for a significant portion of the season, but more than halfway through August, his latest setback is a reminder of how many mistakes the Sox made constructing this roster. They have one of the highest payrolls in the entire league, over the luxury tax threshold by over $9M, but the money wasn’t spent well. Chaim Bloom gave contracts to Paxton, Michael Wacha, and Rich Hill, and each has spent time on the Injured List this year. Signing older pitchers when you already have Chris ‘Made of Glass’ Sale and Nathan Eovaldi, who has his own lengthy injury history, is asking for trouble, and the Sox got what they asked for in spades.
Injuries happen. Often, beyond the player or team’s control. But Bloom’s method of low-risk, high reward can’t be the entire game plan for roster construction. The “upside” he focuses on might work in Tampa. It’s not working here.
Update: James Paxton diagnosed with lat strain
According to Pete Abraham of the Boston Globe, Paxton’s injury is officially a lat strain. Per manager Alex Cora, they don’t yet know how serious it is, but it’s a significant setback for Paxton.
A bit of good news, though, is that Brayan Bello will make his first rehab appearance with Triple-A on Friday.
