When the Boston Red Sox once again acquired James Paxton midseason, they knew exactly what they were getting. While he hasn't been at his peak in a number of years and won't carry the Red Sox rotation, Boston at least had the comfort that he would generally keep games close and give No. 4/No. 5 level production, assuming he could stay healthy.
That last part is a big IF when it comes to Paxton, as he has dealt with a number of ailments over the years affecting basically every joint in his body, which has limited his availability. Just last season, Paxton's promising first half was matched by an early end to his season with knee troubles.
Unfortunately, Paxton's second stint with the Red Sox doesn't look like it is going any better, as the 35-year-old Paxton had to leave in the first inning against the Astros with an apparent leg injury.
Red Sox News: James Paxton leaves start early with leg injury
While we are light on details at the moment, as the game is still ongoing, most of the speculation at the moment is that Paxton's right knee or right Achilles gave out on him. His right knee was the same knee that gave him trouble in 2023, and given how hard a time he had getting off the field, odds are that he will be out a while, regardless of the exact injury.
Update: Thus far, the Red Sox are calling it a "right calf strain," but further examination to determine severity is surely already underway.
This is a pretty brutal development for both Paxton and the Red Sox. Paxton was finally showing life with Boston, and as one of the few moves the Red Sox made this summer, losing him for any amount of time is going to be painful. For Paxton, one just hopes that the injury isn't as severe as it appeared to be. If he tore his Achilles or something in his knee, he would face a lengthy recovery, and fully recovering is far from a sure thing at his age.