Red Sox Starter Receives Bad News Regarding Latest Injury

After undergoing an MRI exam this past week, Boston Red Sox starter James Paxton was diagnosed with a Grade 2 tear in his left lat. 

That's not the news Paxton and the Red Sox wanted to hear, as the diagnosis sidelines him for the rest of the 2022 season. 

The Red Sox will have to wait until 2023 for Paxton's debut with the team, as injuries have delayed it all season long. Paxton signed a one-year, $6 million deal with a two-year, $26 million club option through 2024 with the Red Sox. If the team decides not to pick up the option, which is looking more and more likely due to his injuries, he'll have a one-year, $4 million player option for next season. 

An MRI revealed that James Paxton has a grade 2 tear in his left lat. His season is obviously over. Red Sox hold options on him for the next two seasons.

— Ian Browne (@IanMBrowne) August 25, 2022

The thirty-three-year-old had been almost fully recovered from his second career Tommy John surgery prior to the lat injury. Paxton was removed from his start last Thursday in the Florida Complex League, leaving the game after facing just two batters.

Photo Credit:  Joe Nicholson-USA TODAY Sports

Over his nine-year career, Paxton holds a 3.59 ERA, 1.21 WHIP, and averaged 9.9 strikeouts per nine innings across 754 innings. He has played for the Seattle Mariners and New York Yankees. 

Photo Credit:  Joe Nicholson-USA TODAY Sports