James Paxton's Stats, Metrics, Game Logs, Projections & Rankings

Boston Red Sox left-hander James Paxton (calf) told WEEI's Rob Bradford on Wednesday that he plans to retire this offseason. Paxton has decided to call it quits after finishing the 2024 season on the 60-day injured list with Boston due to a partial tear in his right calf. The 35-year-old Canadian southpaw has had trouble staying healthy in recent years and won't attempt a comeback. He began the year pitching in the Los Angeles Dodgers' starting rotation and even won nine games, but he was eventually cut after posting a 4.43 ERA (4.99 FIP) with a 1.45 WHIP and a career-low 16.4% strikeout rate in 18 starts. Paxton made only three starts in Boston before injuring his calf. Paxton entered the big leagues in 2013 with the Seattle Mariners and spent six seasons with them before bouncing around with the Yankees, M's, Red Sox and Dodgers in 11 total seasons.

The Boston Red Sox moved left-hander James Paxton (calf) to the 60-day injured list on Friday, likely ending his season due to a partial calf tear. The Red Sox also selected the contract of left-hander Joely Rodriguez from Triple-A Worcester and optioned right-hander Greg Weissert to Worcester in other moves. The 35-year-old Paxton was initially placed on the 15-day IL on Aug. 12, but even at that time, it was pretty obvious that he wasn't going to have enough time to make a return in 2024. Paxton began the year with the Los Angeles Dodgers and made 18 starts with them. He's gone 9-3 this year but with a 4.40 ERA (4.79 FIP), a 1.44 WHIP and a 73:50 K:BB in 100 1/3 innings over 21 starts. Not only has his strikeout rate dropped under 20% this year, but he's also sporting a career-worst 11.4% walk rate. Fantasy managers holding him in deeper leagues can let go.

Boston Red Sox left-hander James Paxton (calf) has a partially torn right calf and is running out of time to be able to pitch again this year for the Red Sox. Given Paxton's long history of injuries and reputation as a slow healer, it would be almost a miracle to see him back in the big leagues again in 2024. The 35-year-old veteran southpaw did go 9-3 this year with the Red Sox and Los Angeles Dodgers, but everything else was mostly a disappointment, especially his career-low 16.7% strikeout rate and 11.4% walk rate in 21 total starts covering 100 1/3 innings pitched. Fantasy managers that have him rostered in redraft leagues should let go at this point. Either Josh Winckowski or Cooper Criswell will likely step into Paxton's rotation spot in Boston moving forward.