The Boston Red Sox certainly have been bitten by the injury bug this season.
Boston has had injuries up and down the roster since before spring training even kicked off. Before spring training, the Red Sox found out that star infielder Trevor Story would miss time and were forced to find solutions.
Boston has dealt with a wide range of other injuries this season including Adam Duvall, Adalberto Mondesi, Christian Arroyo, Pablo Reyes, and Yu Chang.
The Red Sox’s starting rotation has dealt with a plethora of injuries itself. Boston began the 2023 campaign with Garrett Whitlock, James Paxton, and Brayan Bello all injured.
While the trio didn’t miss much time, the Red Sox now are without the services of star left-handed pitcher Chris Sale for the foreseeable future. Although Sale is out, things seemed to be looking up for Boston lately, but Red Sox Nation had to collectively hold its breath Saturday.
Paxton — who has been one of Boston’s very best pitchers since returning to the mound — took the hill for the Red Sox against the Chicago White Sox and was forced to leave the game due to right knee soreness after just four innings.
The big lefty has pitched to a 3.19 ERA in eight starts so far this season and has been a welcomed sight to a Red Sox rotation that needed a major boost when he returned from injury.
Many feared the worst immediately when Paxton left the contest, but the 34-year-old reportedly spoke to WEEI’s Rob Bradford on Sunday afternoon and gave a positive update.
“Just talked to James Paxton,” Bradford said. “Knee thing is something he has had in the past. Still thinks he should be able to make his next start.”
If Paxton were to miss an extended period of time, it would be devastating for Boston. The Red Sox have been impressive lately winning seven of their last 10 games and realistically could fight for a Wild Card berth this season.
Especially with Sale already out, Paxton missing an extended period would significantly lower the club’s odds. Plus, Paxton has been in trade rumors recently and if the club decided it wanted to make a move like that, an injury to the big lefty would significantly lower his trade value.
Paxton isn’t completely out of the woods yet, but it seems as though he should be okay sooner rather than later.
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