Yankees Announce James Paxton Cleared to Come Off IL and Might Start Wednesday
By Adam Weinrib
The good news the Yankees were hoping for was delivered right on time Monday.
Following a resilient 5-2 win which the Yankees showed exactly how well they can thrive while maintaining a rotation hole, Aaron Boone dropped the knowledge we'd been waiting to hear in the postgame.
Though bullpen days are nice, James Paxton starting at near-full strength would be preferable, and Boone announced that Paxton is ready to be activated. Whether he starts Wednesday as expected or waits until the Red Sox series begins Thursday, though, is anyone's guess.
James Paxton has been cleared to come off the IL, and is likely to start Wednesday.
— Lindsey Adler (@lindseyadler) May 27, 2019
Paxton's most remarkable start of the season thus far came against Boston, featuring eight shutout innings and 12 Ks in his "Welcome to New York" moment. Depending on their comfort with the 'pen following Masahiro Tanaka's Tuesday start, the team may make the decision to bump Pax to Thursday and let Luis Cessa loose Wednesday afternoon against Chris Paddack.
Per Paxton, he's barely feeling the trademark knee discomfort he's dealt with anymore.
James Paxton says he threw a bullpen yesterday, and his knee feels "the best that it's felt" since going on the IL. He described it as similar to a bruise, and says he will meet with a doctor today to try to get cleared for a start Weds. Just looking for it not to get worse.
— Lindsey Adler (@lindseyadler) May 27, 2019
If it's only a bruise, we look forward to Big Maple letting it loose this week, regardless of which team he's unleashed against.