The New York Yankees have been ravaged by injuries all season and James Paxton is the latest Yank to endure an injury scare.
Take a breath New York Yankees fans. James Paxton left Friday’s game after just one inning, but he was only removed for precautionary reasons. According to Bryan Hoch of MLB.com, Paxton left with a tight glute.
The dominant left-hander allowed two runs on one long home run to Danny Santana. New York’s de facto ace will end the season with a respectable 3.82 ERA.
So long as this injury is nothing serious, Paxton could be manager Aaron Boone’s pick for Game 1 of the American League Division Series. In all likelihood, the Yankees will face the Minnesota Twins.
Masahiro Tanaka and Luis Severino will start games as well, but the Yanks may also opt to throw an opener this postseason. CC Sabathia has already transitioned into a bullpen role and J.A. Happ looks poised to eat some innings out of the pen.
Boone has made it clear that he’s willing to go against the grain with his pitching staff. The Yankees have one of the best bullpens in baseball and they are going to use it early and often.
With all that said, losing Paxton at this point in the season would be a killer. The Yankees are hoping he can be the rock in the rotation and serve up a win early in the ALDS.
At this point in the season, the Yankees are just hoping they don’t suffer any more injury scares.