The Boston Red Sox are surging.
A recent good run has their record at 19-22, just three games away from .500.
It’s still May, so they could very well enter the mix for a postseason spot in a few weeks if they get a few positive breaks.
One of them would be recovering the best version of left-handed pitcher James Paxton.
Paxton, who signed a one-year deal worth $10 million, is on his way back from his second Tommy John surgery.
MassLive.com’s Chris Cotillo provided the latest report on the talented southpaw.
“Caught up with James Paxton. He’s playing catch from 60 feet (did that Wed and Fri and will again tomorrow). Was in Boston for a doctor’s visit that went well. He’s traveling to Chicago with the team and will continue throwing there,” he said.
Caught up with James Paxton. He's playing catch from 60 feet (did that Wed and Fri and will again tomorrow). Was in Boston for a doctor's visit that went well. He's traveling to Chicago with the team and will continue throwing there.
— Chris Cotillo (@ChrisCotillo) May 22, 2022
Paxton Should Be Ready To Contribute In July
The Red Sox think Paxton could be ready to get on a major league mound at some point in July, and if he suffers no setbacks along the way, that should be a realistic timetable.
The Red Sox could definitely use a talented, strikeout-pitcher like Paxton at the top of their rotation.
In 754.2 career innings, he has a 3.59 ERA and 9.91 strikeouts per nine frames.
If healthy, he will likely finish with a sub-4.00 ERA and more than a strikeout per inning.
The main issue in his career, however, has been precisely health.
He has never surpassed 160.1 innings in a single season and has missed a lot of time on the injured list.
He could certainly make an impact down the stretch, though, and help the Red Sox make a second-half push for a playoff spot.
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