Yankees Get Positive Update on James Paxton Following Bullpen Session
By James.r
Yankees' starter James Paxton had an encouraging bullpen session on Tuesday, according to Kristie Ackert of the NY Daily News. Paxton, who was placed on the 10-day injured list on May 4, will now look ahead to a sim game before he can return to major league action.
Paxton had a good bullpen. Will throw a sim game next. #Yankees
— Kristie Ackert (@ByKristieAckert) May 21, 2019
The Yankees left-hander, who is recovering from a left knee injury that has kept him sidelined for two and a half weeks now, started the season poorly, but pitched well in his last four starts before the injury. He was acquired by the Yankees in November for a package of three prospects, including top prospect Justus Sheffield. New York hopes Paxton can be a reliable arm in a rotation that has been rocked with injuries, though continues to overperform.
Paxton says he felt next to nothing when throwing. #Yankees
— Kristie Ackert (@ByKristieAckert) May 21, 2019
As of now, Paxton intends to fly to Tampa Friday as the Yankees head to Kansas City, and will throw a three-inning sim game in one of his final hurdles.
Aaron Boone confirms that Masahiro Tanaka will start tomorrow, and that James Paxton will he heading to Tampa on Friday to go through a three-inning, 60ish-pitch sim game. So strong chance Yankees bullpen Friday’s game in KC. Then Paxton rejoins rotation on the next turn.
— Coley Harvey (@ColeyHarvey) May 21, 2019
Unfortunately, the injured list is nothing new for Paxton (except, of course, in name). In fact, he has never pitched more than 161 innings in a single season, which is certainly concerning for a starting pitcher. Last season he missed five weeks with various injuries, and in 2017, he missed two months.
Regardless, this most recent bullpen session is a good sign that Paxton is on the road to recovery. The Yankees will be thrilled to have him back, as their depth has run about as thin as it can get.