The Boston Red Sox have dealt with numerous injuries this season. James Paxton proved there may be something in the dirty water.
The Boston Red Sox have had several issues with their rotation and bullpen this season, particularly when it comes to the health of the arms at their disposal.
James Paxton proved being a pitcher for Boston may just be bad for one’s health after being pulled to injury as he tries to make his way up to the major league roster while working his way back from, you guessed it, an injury (albeit one suffered last year).
Paxton underwent Tommy John surgery while with the Mariners last season and has been working in his recovery from that procedure. So to have another injury set him back is awful news, particularly for a Boston pitching staff that has been ravaged by injuries.
Red Sox: James Paxton suffers injury in rehab start, continuing bad luck
Fans obviously haven’t seen Paxton pitch this season with the Red Sox, but he’s among many others who have missed time with varying ailments throughout the year. That list includes Chris Sale, Nathan Eovaldi, Tanner Houck, Matt Strahm, Brayan Bello and Josh Taylor. Even worse, many of those suffered injuries in August alone.
With these injury woes, the rotation has been lacking this season, and the inconsistency of players is likely a culprit. Among all MLB teams, Boston currently has the sixth-worst ERA (4.33), ninth-worst opponent batting average (.248) and ninth-worst WHIP (1.30).
Despite being such a mess this season, they still have 15.6 percent playoff odds according to FanGraphs. They have potential if they can play their best and if the pitchers’ curse ends promptly.