Fantasy News

• Dodgers' James Paxton: Struggles with command Sunday

  Rotowire Apr 15, 2024

  Paxton did not factor into the decision Sunday against the Padres, allowing three runs on three hits and eight walks while striking out one over five innings. The fact that Paxton only managed to give up three runs while issuing a career-high eight walks is impressive in its own way. He issued at least one walk in every inning but managed to pitch himself out of trouble for the most part. He did allow a solo home run to Manny Machado to begin the fourth and later came back out for the sixth where he walked the first two batters before being replaced by Ryan Brasier, who would allow both inherited runners to score. Through three starts, Paxton owns a respectable 2.81 ERA but that also comes with a concerning 1.50 WHIP and 10:14 K:BB in 16 innings. He'll look to be more effective his next time out, which currently projects to be against the Mets next weekend.

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• Dodgers' James Paxton: Impresses against Twins

  Rotowire Apr 9, 2024

  Paxton (2-0) picked up the win Monday, allowing two runs on three hits and a walk over six innings against Minnesota. He struck out four. Paxton nailed his first quality start of 2024 on Monday, getting on the board in the category after securing eight quality starts in 19 appearances last season. While he only allowed four base runners, Paxton was tagged for a pair of runs when Manuel Margot launched a two-run homer in the third to plate Austin Martin, who reached via walk. With one of baseball's best offenses behind him, Paxton seems primed to reach double-digit wins for the first time since 2019 if he can stay healthy.

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• Dodgers' James Paxton: Picks up victory in Dodgers debut

  Rotowire Apr 2, 2024

  Paxton (1-0) earned the win over San Francisco on Monday, pitching five shutout innings during which he allowed four hits and five walks while striking out five batters. Paxton put quite a bit of traffic on the basepaths due largely to his five free passes, but he held the Giants to an 0-for-4 mark with runners in scoring position to escape without allowing any runs. The veteran hurler has been troubled by injuries in recent campaigns but looked completely healthy in his 2024 debut, tossing 97 pitches. Paxton hasn't completed more than 100 innings or posted better than a 4.50 ERA since 2019, so he's far from a sure bet to be a reliable starter for the entirety of the campaign, but he appears to have a set spot at the back of the Dodgers' rotation for the time being.

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• Dodgers' James Paxton: Ready for season debut

  Rotowire Mar 31, 2024

  Paxton is scheduled to start Monday's series opener versus the Giants at Dodger Stadium. The oft-injured southpaw has opened both of the past two seasons on the injured list, but he made it out of spring training unscathed and is set to make his Dodgers debut Monday as the team's No. 5 starter. Paxton, who received a $2 million bonus by virtue of being included on the Opening Day roster, will now be guaranteed $9 million in 2023 and can pocket up to $4 million in incentives based on number of games started. The 35-year-old built up to five innings and 80 pitches in his final spring start March 26, so he should be capable of working deep enough into Monday's outing to qualify for a win.

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• Dodgers' James Paxton: Won't travel to Korea with team

  Rotowire Mar 14, 2024

  Paxton isn't expected to join the Dodgers for their season-opening two-game set against the Padres in South Korea, though he's physically fine, Juan Toribio of MLB.com reports. Paxton isn't dealing with any sort of injury, but he wouldn't be pitching in any capacity for either of the two games in Seoul, so the Dodgers are opting to have him work on building up at home rather than making the long trip overseas. Though an unspecified health issue resulted in a reduction of the guaranteed portion of the contract Paxton signed with Los Angeles in January, the left-hander has looked healthy while getting in limited work this spring, allowing just one run on two hits with a 7:2 K:BB over four innings. Paxton is lined up for a spot at the back of the Dodgers' rotation for the upcoming campaign.

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• Dodgers' James Paxton: Set for spring debut Thursday

  Rotowire Feb 28, 2024

  Paxton will make his Cactus League debut Thursday against the Reds, Eric Stephen of SBNation.com reports. Paxton had the guaranteed money on his contract lowered when an unspecified issue arose during his physical. However, he hasn't been under any restrictions this spring and is fully expected to be part of the Dodgers' Opening Day rotation.

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• Dodgers' James Paxton: Fully expects to be ready by opener

  Rotowire Feb 12, 2024

  Paxton said Sunday that he "has no doubt" he'll be ready for Opening Day, Juan Toribio of MLB.com reports. The Dodgers wound up lowering the guaranteed amount of Paxton's contract due to an unspecified physical issue, adding in roster bonuses based on the left-hander's availability. The injury concern is considered minor, so it's not a surprise to hear Paxton isn't worried about being ready to roll by the opener. He'll remain a major injury risk, of course, as the 35-year-old has made just 25 combined starts at the big-league level since the start of the 2020 season.

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• Dodgers' James Paxton: Health issue lowered guarantee

  Rotowire Jan 31, 2024

  Paxton's guaranteed salary in his new contract with the Dodgers was lowered from $11 million to $7 million due to an unspecified health issue, Fabian Ardaya and Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic report. The health concern is not considered serious and obviously didn't prevent a deal from being completed, but the two sides did agree to some restructuring. Paxton received a $3 million signing bonus along with a guaranteed salary of $4 million, and he can get a $2 million roster bonus if he's on the roster either for the Dodgers' opening series in Korea against the Padres on March 20 or their domestic opener on March 28 versus the Cardinals. If he's added to the roster by April 15, Paxton will get a $1 million bonus, as well as another $1 million if he makes 20 starts. There are also additional games started incentives. All told, Paxton's contract could max out at $13 million. Paxton's 2023 season ended due to right knee inflammation, though it's not clear what injury led to the contract alterations.

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• Dodgers' James Paxton: Finalizes deal with Dodgers

  Rotowire Jan 23, 2024

  Paxton signed a one-year, $11 million contract with the Dodgers on Tuesday, Jon Heyman of the New York Post reports. Paxton will also receive a $1 million roster bonus assuming he's on the Opening Day roster, and he can make an additional $1 million through incentives. The left-hander held a 2.73 ERA in the first half and a 6.98 ERA in the second half in 2023 with the Red Sox while battling a knee issue down the stretch. Paxton will enter spring training with a clean bill of health but remains one of the bigger starting pitcher injury risks in MLB. However, the Dodgers are apparently willing to pay for some upside if it comes with the limited risk of a one-year deal.

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• James Paxton: Close to deal with LA

  Rotowire Jan 22, 2024

  Paxton and the Dodgers are closing in on a one-year contract worth close to $12 million, Mark Feinsand of MLB.com reports. The deal isn't official just yet, but the two sides are inching closer to a deal. If Paxton were to sign on with Los Angeles, he'd likely be asked to help shore up the back end of the Dodgers' starting rotation. The southpaw made 19 appearances in 2023 with the Red Sox after making only six starts across the 2020 and 2021 campaigns combined, turning in a 4.50 ERA and 1.31 WHIP with a 101:33 K:BB across 96 innings.

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• Red Sox's James Paxton: Shut down with knee issue

  Rotowire Sep 10, 2023

  Boston placed Paxton on the 15-day injured list Sunday with right knee inflammation, Rob Bradford of WEEI.com reports. Paxton was supposed to start on extra rest Tuesday against the Yankees, but he has now been shut down for the final three weeks of the 2023 regular season due to lingering knee trouble. The veteran left-hander had surrendered 17 runs -- 16 earned -- over his last three outings covering just 9.2 innings. Nick Pivetta is expected to fill his rotation spot the rest of the way.

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• Red Sox's James Paxton: Next start pushed to Tuesday

  Rotowire Sep 6, 2023

  Paxton will receive extended rest before rejoining Boston's rotation Tuesday against the Yankees, Ian Browne of MLB.com reports. The left-hander last pitched Sept. 1 in Kansas City and has given up 16 earned runs over his past three starts, so Boston will skip his turn through the rotation this week in order to provide him some extra rest. The poor stretch has inflated Paxton's season ERA to 4.50 to go along with a 1.31 WHIP across 96 innings.

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• Red Sox's James Paxton: Chased in second inning

  Rotowire Sep 1, 2023

  Paxton (7-5) yielded six runs on five hits and two walks over 1.1 innings while taking a loss against the Royals on Friday. Paxton gave up a pair of solo home runs in the first inning before the Royals tagged him for four more runs in the second. He's thrown just 9.2 total innings while allowing 16 earned runs over his last three starts, and his season ERA has jumped from 3.34 to 4.50 during that span. Paxton is currently projected to start in Tampa Bay next week.

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• Red Sox's James Paxton: Another short outing

  Rotowire Aug 27, 2023

  Paxton did not factor into the decision Saturday, allowing four runs on four hits and five walks over 4.1 innings against the Dodgers. He struck out four. The veteran lefty allowed individual runs in the first and fourth innings before a Max Muncy two-run homer chased Paxton from the game with one out in the fifth. This marks back-to-back starts in which he has failed to complete five innings, causing his second-half ERA to rise to 5.82 alongside a 1.66 WHIP across 38.2 innings. Paxton is currently projected to make a road start against the Royals next week.

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• Red Sox's James Paxton: Stumbles in loss

  Rotowire Aug 21, 2023

  Paxton (7-4) yielded seven runs (six earned) on nine hits and three walks over four innings Monday, striking out four and taking a loss against Houston. Paxton gave up four runs through two innings and then served up a three-run homer in the fourth. It was a rare misstep for him this season; he'd allowed seven runs over his last four starts combined. Paxton saw his ERA climb to 3.79 with a 97:26 K:BB through 17 outings. His next start is projected to be at home against the Dodgers.

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• Red Sox's James Paxton: Settles for quality start Wednesday

  Rotowire Aug 17, 2023

  Paxton came away with a no-decision in Wednesday's 6-2 loss to the Nationals, giving up two runs on five hits and a walk over six innings. He struck out three. Both runs the veteran lefty allowed came on solo shots, and Paxton exited the game in line for his fourth loss of the year until Boston tied the game in the top of the eighth inning. The quality start was his first in August and eighth in 16 outings overall. Paxton sports a 3.34 ERA, 1.14 WHIP and 93:23 K:BB through 86.1 innings on the season, and his next trip to the mound is likely to come early next week in Houston.

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• Red Sox's James Paxton: Bounces back for seventh victory

  Rotowire Aug 11, 2023

  Paxton (7-3) earned the win over Kansas City on Thursday, allowing six hits and no walks while striking out six batters over 5.1 scoreless innings. Paxton gave up three homers and four runs over five innings against Toronto in his previous start, but he rebounded with a strong effort Thursday. Though he needed 98 pitches to get through 5.1 frames, the left-hander kept the Royals off the scoreboard and didn't issue a walk for just the second time in 15 starts this season. Paxton continues to enjoy a career resurgence at age 34 -- through 80.1 innings, he's posted a 3.36 ERA, 1.15 WHIP and 90:22 K:BB.

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• Red Sox's James Paxton: Hit hard in Friday's loss

  Rotowire Aug 5, 2023

  Paxton (6-3) took the loss Friday, giving up four runs on nine hits -- including three home runs -- and two walks over five innings as the Red Sox fell 7-3 to the Blue Jays. He struck out four. The southpaw was catching too much of the strike zone to begin the night, and Toronto hit three solo shots in the first two innings before Paxton was able to settle in. After an impressive run to begin the season after his mid-May debut, the 34-year-old has seen his numbers slip -- over five starts since the beginning of July, Paxton's stumbled to a 5.40 ERA, 1.52 WHIP and 23:9 K:BB through 25 innings. He'll try to get back on track in his next outing, which is likely to come at home next week against the Royals.

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• Red Sox's James Paxton: Recieves no run support

  Rotowire Jul 29, 2023

  Paxton did not factor into the decision Saturday, allowing one run on eight hits and two walks over five innings against the Giants. He struck out five. Though Paxton limited San Francisco to one run over five frames, the Red Sox offense was held scoreless until the ninth inning and knocked Paxton out of contention for his fourth win in five starts. Outside of an ugly six-run start against the Cubs, Paxton has surrendered two or fewer earned runs in five consecutive appearances dating back to June 24. Over that stretch, he has a 3.41 ERA and a 29:9 K:BB. Paxton is tentatively scheduled to take on the Blue Jays for his next start.

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• Red Sox's James Paxton: Lit up in third inning

  Rotowire Jul 16, 2023

  Paxton (5-2) took the loss Saturday, allowing six runs on three hits and three walks over three innings against the Cubs. He struck out four. Paxton struck out two of the first three batters he faced and cruised through the first two innings without allowing any base runners. He fell apart in the third, however, walking Christopher Morel to open the frame before hitting Miguel Amaya in the next at-bat. The lefty would go on to allow six runs in the inning, topped off by a grand slam from Cody Bellinger, and was relieved by Tayler Scott to open the fourth. The six runs allowed marked a season high for Paxton after the veteran came into the contest having won his last four decisions (spanning six starts).

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