What James Paxton's return means for Red Sox rotation

He hasn't pitched in a regular season game for the Red Sox since 2021, when he only lasted 1-1/3 innings against the Chicago White Sox. That's not just his totals for that one game, that's throughout the entire season -- big leagues or otherwise -- and it all started and ended on the same day: April 6, 2021.

Now, this may sound like some minor league prospect that had some promise, showed what he had, or more accurately didn't have, then quickly got sent down to the minors. Instead, we're talking about bonafide major league pitcher: specifically, James "Big Maple" Paxton -- a 10-year MLB veteran, and only the second Canadian-born pitcher to throw a no-hitter in MLB history.

Paxton is expected to make his first start since 2021 on Friday against the St. Louis Cardinals at Fenway Park. It will be his first big league start -- and first start with the Boston -- after tweaking his hamstring in spring training this season, and getting Tommy John surgery during the 2021 season, and recovering during the 2022 season.

Since being cleared for baseball activities, he has pitched in six games for Triple-A Worcester, five of them coming as starts. He has gone collected a 2-3 record, with a 6.23 ERA in 21-2/3 innings. He has also struck out 26 and walked 16.

Here's who should stay in the rotation, who should go to the bullpen, and who is fighting to stay in the rotation when he returns.