James Paxton’s first season back with the Seattle Mariners has come to an abrupt end before it began.
Paxton will undergo season-ending elbow surgery, according to Mariners manager Scott Servais on Tuesday. “It’s a blow this is a guy who is a top-end starter, a top-of-the-rotation type of guy,” Servais said. “Certainly nothing against our other guys, but they just don’t have the experience and the track record that Pax has accumulated over his time in the big leagues,” Servais explained.
Paxton made his season debut on April 6 but was pulled after two innings and 24 pitches. Paxton was originally diagnosed with a forearm strain, but a second opinion indicated that the injury was far be more serious than initially believed.
“I feel terrible for Pax and having to deal with this one again,” Servais said. “If I know Pax, he’ll take the right attitude with it and go forward and try to make the best out of it and come back stronger than ever.”
The 32-year-old pitched for Seattle from 2013-2018, compiling a 41-26 record with a 3.42 ERA. In 2018, the Mariners traded him to the New York Yankees.
The pitcher struggled during the first half of his season with the Yankees. However, during the second half, he was able to find his form and went 15-6 with a 3.82 ERA. Additionally, Paxton won a career-best 10 straight starts. Last season, the left-handed pitcher was limited to five starts due to a left flexor strain.
The 32-year-old decided to return to Seattle after signing a one-year deal worth $8 million. The pitcher was off to a great start during spring training. In two spring games, Paxton recorded two wins, 17 strikeouts and a 1.08 ERA.
Servais did not disclose what surgery the pitcher will be undergoing.
