UPDATE 2:17 p.m. ET: Boston Red Sox veteran left-hander James Paxton was removed from Sunday’s series finale against the Houston Astros due to a right calf strain, per the team.
Original story: BOSTON — The pitching staff of the Boston Red Sox seems to have been dealt another blow.
Veteran left-hander James Paxton had to be helped off the field just five pitches into his start against the Houston Astros on Sunday afternoon. Paxton seemed to injure his right leg after he stepped awkwardly in an attempt to leave the mound and run to cover first base.
Paxton did so after Astros slugger Yordan Alvarez hit a ground ball to Red Sox first baseman Dominic Smith.
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Paxton recorded just two outs in the series finale at Fenway Park. He got Houston’s Alex Bregman to ground into a double play after Jose Altuve hit a leadoff single.
Right-handed reliever Lucas Sims took over for Paxton and recorded an inning-ending ground ball.
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Paxton was acquired by the Red Sox ahead of the MLB trade deadline. He entered Sunday after he recorded a 4.35 ERA in 10 1/3 innings (two starts). Red Sox manager Alex Cora spoke highly of Paxton before Sunday’s contest.
