Former Yankees pitcher James Paxton says his injury-shortened 2020 season ended prematurely after attempting to return too soon from offseason back surgery.
Paxton, who re-signed with the Mariners last week on a one-year, $8.5M deal, spoke to reporters on Thursday for the first time since his return to Seattle.
The 32-year-old left-hander went under the knife for his back ailment just days before the start of spring training last season, and said on Thursday that he wasn't fully ready to return when the regular season finally got underway in late July.
By trying to expedite the process, Paxton said, it left him vulnerable to the left-elbow flexor strain that ended his campaign after only five starts.
“It actually put my arm in a dangerous position," Paxton told reporters. "And that’s what I think caused the injury to my flexor -- just my mechanics being off and not having my strength back to 100%."
Paxton's absence was surely a blow to the Yankees' hopes of making a deeper run into the postseason.
The native Canadian, acquired by the Yankees in a trade following the 2018 season, made 29 starts in his first season in pinstripes, in 2019. But last season he was again bitten by the injury bug, which has cost him 10 separate IL stints in his eight-year career in the Majors.
The University of Kentucky product said he spent the offseason focusing on rebuilding strength in his back and core. He hopes to log 170 innings for the Mariners, and said he's pleased to be back where his career began.
"Coming back to Seattle was the best long-term decision for me," Paxton said. "Looking forward in my career and what I want to do, I want to get back to being myself this year. I really struggled last year, coming back from the back surgery. I’m comfortable here in Seattle. I love the group here. And I’m excited to be part of it.”