While the New York Yankees gained back Geo Urshela, Giancarlo Stanton, and Aaron Judge this week, they did lose one significant starting pitcher.
Left-handed pitcher James Paxton was placed on the 45-day injured list, according to manager Aaron Boone before Wednesday nights game. Before going down with a forearm flexor strain, Paxton was pitching 6.64 ERA baseball, which would land in the lackluster category. He had given up 15 earned runs over 20 innings pitched — an elevated number that was easily replaceable for the Yankees.
Prior to tonight’s game, the Yankees made the following roster moves:
• Signed C Wynston Sawyer (#94) to a Major League contract, selected him to the Major League roster and assigned him to the Alternate Site.
• Transferred LHP James Paxton to the 45-day IL.— New York Yankees (@Yankees) September 16, 2020
Paxton is currently on the final year of a one-year, $12.5 million deal. Set to hit free agency next season, I can’t imagine the Yankees will retain him and his injury proneness.
Being placed on the 45-day IL essentially ends his season. The Yankees have since utilized Deivi Garcia, their 21-year-old youth pitcher, in his role. Garcia has been phenomenal, as he currently hosts a 3.28 ERA with a 2-1 record. His emergence has been perfectly timed with Paxton’s absence, and they can feel confident moving forward with him in the rotation.