James Paxton sat at his locker, pushing aside the crutches that helped him get to his seat, and revealed his reality.
"It’s a partial tear, so it’s not minor. It’s a decent tear," said the Red Sox pitcher of his injured right calf. "I think it’s going to take a little bit of time. It’s going to cut it pretty close towards the end. I’ll do whatever I can to recover as quickly as possible and see if there’s any time left. That’s basically where we’re at. Up against the clock."
In other words, it doesn't appears as though the Red Sox should be counting on a return from the lefty this season.
Paxton, who left the Sox' game Sunday after just five pitches due to his calf injury, couldn't hide his disappointment with the news. He had been upbeat about his return to the Red Sox, turning in a solid six-inning, two-run outing in his most recent start.
Now, both Paxton and the Red Sox are being forced to Plan B.
"I had a feeling it wasn’t anything minor," he said. "It was pretty intense pain there for the first little bit. I didn’t think it was a minor something. I’m glad it wasn’t the achilles or something not completely torn. The doc said you’re going to recover from this, it’s just going to take a little bit of time. Time is something we don’t have a whole lot of right now but I’ll do whatever I can to get back as quickly as possible."
Cooper Criswell will be taking Paxton's spot in the rotation once the righty has built himself back up after a bout with Covid.
After Kutter Crawford's start Tuesday night, Tanner Houck will get the nod in the Sox' series finale against the Rangers. Nick Pivetta, who hasn't pitched since Aug. 4, will start Thursday against the Orioles.