According to Bryan Hoch of MLB.com, New York Yankees left-hander James Paxton is having an MRI on his elbow after his Thursday afternoon start against the rival Tampa Bay Rays at Yankee Stadium.
James Paxton is having an MRI. He felt discomfort in his forearm/elbow.
— Bryan Hoch ?? (@BryanHoch) August 20, 2020
After tossing four shutout innings, Paxton surrendered three earned runs in the fifth inning and was removed from the game thereafter. The Yankees lost 10-5, capping off a three-game sweep for the Rays. The Yankees are now 6-1 against the Rays this season, falling to second place in the American League East.
Across his five starts this season (20.1 innings), Paxton has recorded a 6.64 ERA, a 1.48 WHIP and 26 strikeouts while opponents hit .284 against his offerings. Last season the Big Maple made 29 starts (150.2 innings) for the Yankees, recording a 3.82 ERA, a 1.28 WHIP and 186 strikeouts while opponents hit .242 against his offerings.
Paxton underwent back surgery in March. He has missed extensive time over his big-league career due to said injury, as well as knee and shoulder discomfort.
Paxton missing a start and/or hitting the injured list vacates a spot in manager Aaron Boone’s starting rotation. Candidates to fill the void include Jonathan Loaisiga, Michael King and Clarke Schmidt. Another option is going with a bullpen day every fifth game. Gerrit Cole, Masahiro Tanaka, Jordan Montgomery and J.A. Happ fill the other rotation spots.
Infielder Gleyber Torres was removed from Thursday’s game with a tight left hamstring.
INF Gleyber Torres left today's game with a tight left hamstring and is being evaluated.
— New York Yankees (@Yankees) August 20, 2020
Thursday morning the Yankees placed left-handed reliever Zack Britton on the injured list with a left hamstring strain. Meanwhile, they optioned Miguel Andujar, subsequently recalling right-handed pitchers Ben Heller and Miguel Yajure.
Following last night’s game, the Yankees optioned INF/OF Miguel Andújar to the Alternate Site.
Prior to today’s game:
• Recalled RHP Ben Heller (#61) & RHP Miguel Yajure (#89) from the Alternate Site.
• Placed LHP Zack Britton on the 10-day IL with a left hamstring strain.— New York Yankees (@Yankees) August 20, 2020
Outfielders Aaron Judge (right calf strain) and Giancarlo Stanton (hamstring), infielder DJ LeMahieu (left thumb) and catcher Kyle Higashioka (right oblique strain) are all serving time on the injured list.
The Yankees are 16-9. They begin a three-game series with the New York Mets on Friday at Citi Field.