The Los Angeles Dodgers designated veteran left-hander James Paxton for assignment Monday, according to multiple reports.
The starting rotation is undergoing a transformation this week.
The Dodgers are prepared for top pitching prospect River Ryan to start Monday night against the San Francisco Giants. On Wednesday, the Dodgers anticipate the return of right-hander Tyler Glasnow from the injured list and Clayton Kershaw is set to make his season debut Thursday after undergoing shoulder surgery.
“It’s a big week,” Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said before Sunday’s game against the Boston Red Sox. “… Getting our pitching back in line, it’s starting to look more like our ballclub.”
Paxton was signed in the offseason and has been solid for the Dodgers, going 8-2 with a 4.43 ERA over 18 starts and 89 1/3 innings. Paxton has not pitched 100 innings in a season since 2019.
In his start Sunday against the Red Sox, Paxton gave up a two-run home run to Jarren Duran on his third pitch of the game. He recovered and didn’t allow another run over his five-inning outing to earn the win as the Dodgers’ offense rallied.
Paxton will make all $13 million of an incentive-laden contract he signed in the offseason. His last performance bonus was reached Sunday when he made his 18th start and added the final $1 million to his deal. He had a $4 million salary, with a $3 million signing bonus and a $2 million bonus for making the starting rotation plus other incentives for reaching specific start totals.
In 11 major league seasons, Paxton is 72-40 with a 3.76 ERA over 174 starts for the Seattle Mariners (2013-18, 2021), New York Yankees (2019-20) and Boston Red Sox (2023).
Ryan, 25, is a former two-way player who also was an infielder. In eight minor league starts this season (16 1/3 innings) he does not have a decision with a 2.22 ERA. Ryan was an 11th-round draft pick by the San Diego Padres in 2021.