The Boston Red Sox are grappling with a critical push for the postseason, and their path is becoming increasingly challenging.
Entering the 2024 season with a shallow pitching rotation, the Red Sox were compelled by a midseason surge to seek additional starting pitching before the trade deadline. However, recent reports suggest that a new acquisition may now be sidelined for the rest of the year.
“Alex Cora indicated that James Paxton will likely miss the remainder of the season,” reported Chris Cotillo of MassLive on Tuesday. “While his Achilles is fine, he has a torn calf. When healthy, Cooper Criswell will take his place in the rotation.”
Paxton had posted a 4.40 ERA with a 73-to-50 strikeout-to-walk ratio, a .251 batting average against, and a 1.45 WHIP in 100 1/3 innings across 21 games with the Los Angeles Dodgers and Red Sox this season.
Traded to the Red Sox from the Dodgers for shortstop Moises Bolivar in late July, Paxton made three starts for Boston, pitching 11 innings and allowing five earned runs, with the team going 1-2 in those games.
The Red Sox’s rotation depth is being severely tested, and the outcomes have been as disappointing as feared. While it’s not Craig Breslow’s fault that Paxton’s injury occurred after just three starts, his injury history made this outcome somewhat predictable.
Breslow, leading baseball operations for the first time, opted for a minimal investment in rotation help at the deadline, and now the consequences of that cautious approach are evident. The summer trade discussions were intense, and with the Red Sox being marginal contenders, it wasn’t surprising that Breslow held back.
Choosing not to fully commit to the 2024 season in favor of focusing resources on 2025 and beyond isn’t necessarily a poor strategy, though it’s uncertain given the ownership’s recent disinterest in winning.
Losing Paxton, at 35, is a severe setback for a team in desperate need of pitching reinforcements, especially given their position in the American League standings.
As of Tuesday, Boston is only two games behind the Kansas City Royals for an AL Wild Card spot.