James Paxton will take a major-league mound on Friday night for the first time since April 6, 2021. He lasted just five batters in that outing for the Mariners and underwent Tommy John surgery a week later.
Paxton’s return was then delayed by a hamstring strain in spring training. Now, after six rehab appearances (five starts) at Triple-A, the big southpaw is ready to make his Red Sox debut on Friday night.
Paxton talked about his road back to the major leagues and the appreciation he has for the training staff on the Audacy Original Podcast “Baseball Isn’t Boring”.
“It’s a bunch of things, honestly. First of all, the amount of work and care that the training staff here has for players and how much they care and how hard they work to help us get back,” Paxton said (5:28 in player above). “These guys work tirelessly to get my body in a place where I’m ready to be where I am right now. I really appreciate all of the people that helped me get back to this point. It’s been a journey.”
Paxton made just five starts with the Yankees in 2020 after winning a career-high 15 games the year prior. The left-hander has been great when healthy in his career, compiling a 56-32 record with a 3.50 ERA in 131 starts from 2013 to 2019 with the Mariners and Yankees.
The veteran pitcher always recognized the work that the training staff did, but he has a new level of appreciation for them after his long rehab process.
“Just how intense it can be and how much attention to detail there is behind the scenes. When you go through an injury period like this, you really get to see the thought that goes into it,” Paxton said. “There’s more discussion. When you’re healthy and you’re doing stuff, just doing the everyday changing the oil, making sure everything’s running smoothly.
“There’s so much more that goes into it. So much more thought and everything, especially in a process like I’ve been through. These guys and everyone else who’s helped me through this time have really put in a lot of work and I appreciate that.”
Paxton looked good in his final two rehab starts, striking out 12 while allowing just four hits and two runs in 10 ⅓ innings. The Red Sox are hoping that can continue and Paxton can be a contributor in their starting rotation for the remainder of the season.
Related
LISTEN on the Audacy App
Sign Up and Follow Audacy Sports
Facebook | Twitter | Instagram