James Paxton arrived at Fenway Park ahead of the Red Sox’ 8-2 loss to the Yankees in the series rubber match Sunday evening and felt as though he never left.
“It was a bit of a whirlwind for me the last little bit,” said Paxton Sunday afternoon. “But Boston reached out really fast and they wanted me back here. I was interested in that as well, and things worked out for me to be back here.”
Paxton, who was recently designated for assignment by the Dodgers then traded to the Red Sox on Friday, spent the previous two seasons with the Sox. Though he was out all of 2022 because of injury, Paxton pitched well for the Sox the first half of last season, compiling a 2.73 ERA in 10 starts. But he faded in the second half, registering a 6.98 ERA as he battled knee trouble that ultimately ended his season in September.
Get 108 Stitches
Receive the Globe's best reporting and commentary on the Red Sox every weekday.
Related: Abraham: With Red Sox suddenly reeling, pressure mounts on Craig Breslow to bring in more deadline help
Advertisem*nt
Paxton put together a 4.43 ERA in 18 starts for the Dodgers this year. Though he was able to post, Paxton’s walk rate was 12.3 percent, the highest mark of his career. Paxton’s 16.4 percent strikeout rate marked the lowestof his career.
“Early in the season, I was kind of out of whack with my arm slot,” said Paxton. “I didn’t know where the ball was going because my arm wasn’t coming through quite as fast. So I was kind of dragging behind. Trying to rein that in has been a bit of a challenge. But I brought down the walks since the beginning of the season a little bit. Earlier in the season, I had a game where I walked eight guys. That’s going to spike your numbers quite a bit.”
WIth Paxton, getting him back in the strike zone is the first goal, a plan of attack the Red Sox have consistently preached under pitching coach Andrew Bailey.
Related: Abraham: As James Paxton, Danny Jansen arrive to Red Sox, baseball’s ins and outs on full display
“We hope to get him into the strike zone because his stuff is good. It’s still good,” said manager Alex Cora. “What I saw last week [in his start against us] and was kind of like the usual. Four-seamer up, breaking ball for strikes and swings and misses. We hope we can accomplish that.”
Advertisem*nt
Paxton will make his first start in his return to the Sox Tuesday against the Mariners.
Jansen jumps right in
Newly acquired catcher Danny Jansen was in the lineup, going 2 for 3 with a walk as the designated hitter. The Sox traded three prospects to acquire the righthanded-hitting catcher Saturday, aiming to balance their lineup and capitalize on his strength in pulling the ball — a trait that could prove effective at Fenway.
“We got a righthanded bat that we do believe fits into this stadium,” said Cora. “Pull hitter that hits the ball in the air. And when Connor [Wong] isn’t playing, we are not so lefthanded. It gives us options when one of the two is not playing. We got a righthanded hitter on the bench instead of a lefty so we can mix and match with the opposition.”
Wong will receive most of the playing time behind the dish, but when Jansen does catch, he will not only provide the Red Sox with a righthanded bat, but a veteran presence. Jansen will have to play catch up, though, in learning the pitching staff. Playing in the same division as the Sox for so long certainly is a bonus when it comes to understanding the pitching staff. Still, he spent much of the day with Sox coach Jason Varitek and Bailey.
“I think just kind of getting a general idea of pitching staff and definitely hit the ground running,” said Jansen on what would make the transition easier. “I’m definitely going to be striving to communicate as much as I can, especially early on and be with these guys and get to know them and their strengths and what makes them great.”
Advertisem*nt
Pair designated
To make room for Jansen, the Sox designated catcher Reese McGuire for assignment … The Sox also designated reliever Chase Anderson for assignment. Cora said Anderson was a huge part of setting the tone in the clubhouse as a veteran, helping the younger players. After packing up his locker Sunday, Anderson embraced Brayan Bello telling him to “keep pitching.” … First baseman Triston Casas (right rib cage fracture) likely will begin a rehab assignment Tuesday … The Red Sox claimed Yohan Ramirez off waivers from the Dodgers. The righthander had a 5.52 ERA in 29⅓ innings … Chris Martin (elbow) is set to throw from 120 feet on Monday, while Justin Slaten (elbow) will extend his throws to 90 feet. Cora would not rule out a return for the pair when the club opens its series against the Astros on Aug. 9 … Longtime Red Sox broadcaster Joe Castiglione threw out the first pitch. Castiglione recently received the Ford C. Frick award, presented by the National Baseball Hall of Fame, honoring a broadcaster for major contributions to baseball. … On Monday night, the Red Sox begin a three-game set against the Mariners, who are just a half-game back of the Sox in the wild-card standings. Nick Pivetta will take the hill against Logan Gilbert in the opener, followed by Luis Castillo vs. Paxton and George Kirby against Bello
Julian McWilliams can be reached at julian.mcwilliams@globe.com. Follow him @byJulianMack.
