Paxton to throw on Wednesday
CLEARWATER — Just two more days. James Paxton just has to get through two more days of rehab exercises for his surgically-repaired back without issue before he can begin his throwing program on Wednesday, he said on Monday morning.
“If everything goes well the next two days, I will start throwing Wednesday,” Paxton said Monday morning. “Everything feels good.”
Paxton had back surgery on Feb. 5 to remove a cyst from his spine. The injury dates back to his final regular season start when he left the game early with pain in his glute.
The lefty’s throwing program will be a slow, tedious process beginning with about 25 throws from 60 feet, but it gets him on track towards a return to the major league rotation.
The Yankees could certainly use some good injury news with Aaron Judge waiting to find out if he needs surgery on his fractured right first rib, Giancarlo Stanton likely to miss Opening Day with a strained right calf and Luis Severino out for the season with a partially torn right ulnar ligament.
The rotation could also use a quick return from Paxton, considering they lost Severino and are without Domingo German for the first 63 games of the season as he serves a suspension under MLB and MLBPA’s joint domestic violence policy.
Paxton could be a huge addition when he gets back.
He was 15-6 with a 3.82 ERA in 29 games in 2019. After posting a 4.01 ERA in the first half of last season, Paxton posted a 3.63 ERA in the second half.
The 31-year-old is optimistic he can return in May. The Yankees are targeting June to be safe.