Paxton (calf) said Wednesday that he plans to retire after the season, Rob Bradford of WEEI.com reports.
Paxton is currently on the 60-day injured list due to a tear in his right calf and won't be able to pitch again during the regular season, though he could be able to return for the postseason if the Red Sox are able to secure a wild-card spot. Either way, 2024 will mark the 35-year-old's final season in professional baseball, putting an end to his 11-year career. He'll finish with a career 3.77 ERA and 1.25 WHIP alongside 1,005 strikeouts through 951 innings.
The Red Sox transferring Paxton (calf) to the 60-day injured list Friday, Mac Cerullo of the Boston Herald reports.
The 35-year-old was placed on the 15-day IL on Aug. 12 due to a partially torn left calf, and he won't be eligible to return before the end of the regular season. The Red Sox are currently 3.5 games back of the final wild-card spot in the American League, but there's an outside chance Paxton will be available in mid-October should Boston make a playoff run.
Further testing revealed Paxton's right calf is partially torn, and it's unclear whether or not he'll be able to return in 2024, Ian Browne of MLB.com reports.
Paxton was initially diagnosed with a calf strain but the injury is more severe than anticipated. A timeline isn't available for Paxton's return and with roughly six weeks left in the regular season, so it's not a guarantee he'll be back prior to the playoffs or be available for any potential postseason starts. Per Gabrielle Starr of the Boston Herald the Red Sox plan on inserting Cooper Criswell (COVID-19 injured list) into the rotation in Paxton's place.
Red Sox's James Paxton: Placed on IL with calf strain
Rotowire
The Red Sox placed Paxton on the 15-day injured list Monday with a right calf strain, Jen McCaffrey of The Athletic reports.
Paxton suffered the injury during Sunday's 10-2 loss to the Astros and required assistance off the field. The southpaw was scheduled to undergo an MRI on Monday, but the severity of the calf strain has not yet been revealed. The Red Sox are likely to turn to either Josh Winckowski or Cooper Criswell (COVID-19 injured list) to serve as their new fifth starter in place of Paxton, who is first eligible to return from the IL on Aug. 27.
