In a surprising move, the Los Angeles Dodgers have designated veteran starting pitcher James Paxton for assignment, despite a strong recent outing. Paxton, who threw five solid innings and tallied seven strikeouts in a win over the Red Sox, improved his record to 8-2 on the season before the team made the unexpected roster decision on Monday.

ESPN’s Alden Gonzalez reported that the decision was largely driven by an impending roster squeeze, as several injured pitchers prepare to return to the rotation. Although Paxton has played a key role in the Dodgers' pitching staff this season, it appears he was seen as the odd man out.

Paxton, signed to a one-year deal worth $7 million that could rise to $13 million through performance incentives, has served as a reliable innings-eater for a staff hit hard by injuries. However, control issues have been a persistent concern — he leads the league in walks with 48 and holds a 4.43 ERA across 89 innings pitched.

The Dodgers now have seven days to trade Paxton before he is exposed to waivers. Given the current demand for veteran starting pitching across the league, Los Angeles is hoping to secure a prospect in return rather than risk losing him for nothing.

The team’s decision comes as multiple reinforcements near a return: Clayton Kershaw is expected to come off the injured list later this week following shoulder surgery, Tyler Glasnow is nearing the end of a back-related absence, and rookie River Ryan is slated to debut soon after recovering from his own shoulder troubles. Additionally, Walker Buehler is working back from a hip issue, and there’s optimism that both Bobby Miller and rookie sensation Yoshinobu Yamamoto could be available later in the year.

Interestingly, despite the influx of pitching options, the Dodgers remain active in the trade market. They’ve been linked to top-tier arms as the trade deadline approaches. Reports suggest L.A. is among the most aggressive suitors for Tigers ace Tarik Skubal, with the Orioles also reportedly in the mix. The Dodgers have also shown sustained interest in White Sox standout Garrett Crochet and are rumored to have discussed a larger deal that could involve outfielder Luis Robert Jr. and reliever Michael Kopech.

With their rotation set to get crowded, Los Angeles seems determined to capitalize on Paxton’s value and continue exploring impactful upgrades as they gear up for a deep playoff push.

https://www.prodetroitstore.com