Can’t help but feel for James Paxton at this point. He’s always been talented enough to make an impact as a major-league starting pitcher, but durability has long been the concerning reality with him, and it’s continuing to set him back as a member of the Boston Red Sox.

Paxton had to exit his most recent spring training start, last Friday against the Twins. Fortunately, Paxton didn’t have to leave because of an issue with his throwing arm, but he’s dealing with a new injury to his lower body.

• https://twitter.com/MrMatthewCFB/status/1631727364106506240

• According to Pete Abraham of the Boston Globe, Paxton has a Grade 1 hamstring strain. The lowest grade means the least serious version of the injury. But Abraham reports that Paxton will “be shut down for a bit” and is “unlikely” to be on the Opening Day roster.

  Abraham added that the same goes for pitchers Brayan Bello (forearm soreness), and Garrett Whitlock, who is recovering from off-season hip surgery.

  It’s simply been a rough few years for Paxton on the injury front. He’s made only six appearances over the past three seasons, going back to issues with his forearm flexor in 2020 with the Yankees. He underwent Tommy John surgery in 2021, missing virtually the entire season, and nearly returned for the Red Sox during 2022, but ended up tearing a lat muscle that shut him down for good.

• 

  SEATTLE, WASHINGTON – APRIL 06: James Paxton #44 of the Seattle Mariners pitches in the first inning against the Chicago White Sox at T-Mobile Park on April 06, 2021 in Seattle, Washington. (Photo by Steph Chambers/Getty Images)

• Paxton has never reached 30 starts in a season. His career-highs are 29 starts and 160.1 innings. It’s unfortunate, because Paxton was consistently effective during his healthier years. He posted a 44-24 record with a 3.61 ERA and 10.9 strikeouts per nine innings from 2016-19.

  The veteran lefty was a low-risk financial investment for Red Sox Chief Baseball Officer Chaim Bloom, but you get what you pay for. Hamstring injuries tend to linger, so the hope is Paxton can get back to 100 percent while he’s shut down. The bright side is he’s not dealing with arm troubles.

  But Paxton’s 2023 campaign is certainly not off to the start he wanted. It’s what we should come to expect, though.

• 

  SEATTLE, WA – SEPTEMBER 24: James Paxton #65 of the Seattle Mariners pitches against the Oakland Athletics in the second inning during their game at Safeco Field on September 24, 2018 in Seattle, Washington. (Photo by Abbie Parr/Getty Images)

• Click here for complete Boston Red Sox coverage at 985TheSportsHub.com.

  Matt Dolloff is a writer and podcaster for 985TheSportsHub.com. Any opinions expressed do not necessarily reflect those of 98.5 The Sports Hub, Beasley Media Group, or any subsidiaries. Have a news tip, question, or comment for Matt? Yell at him on Twitter @mattdolloff and follow him on Instagram @realmattdolloff. Check out all of Matt’s content here.

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