The Los Angeles Dodgers made a surprising change to their rotation on Monday.
James Paxton was removed from the team to make space for River Ryan on the 40-man roster. Ryan debuted in Major League Baseball on Monday night against the San Francisco Giants, making him the 14th pitcher to start for the Dodgers this season.
Paxton had started 18 games this season, tying him with Gavin Stone and Tyler Glasnow for the most starts on the team. The experienced left-handed pitcher had a record of 8-2 with a 4.43 ERA.
Paxton, who is 35 years old, signed a one-year contract worth $7 million during the offseason. He pitched five innings and allowed two runs in Sunday’s 9-6 victory over the Boston Red Sox.
Manager Dave Roberts explained that with Glasnow and Clayton Kershaw returning from injuries this week, and with young pitchers the Dodgers want to evaluate, it was challenging to find a role for Paxton for the remainder of the season.
“It was a tough decision. He handled it very professionally,” Roberts said. “We are confident in our starting staff moving forward.”
Glasnow, who was sidelined due to back tightness since July 9, will return and start on Wednesday. Kershaw is set to make his first start of the season on Thursday after recovering from shoulder surgery during the offseason.
Despite the return of Glasnow and Kershaw, the Dodgers are still without Walker Buehler (right hip inflammation) and Yoshinobu Yamamoto (right rotator cuff).
Buehler will throw a bullpen session on Tuesday and then make a couple of minor league rehab starts. Yamamoto is not expected to return until possibly late August.
The Dodgers are interested in seeing more of younger pitchers Justin Wrobleski and Landon Knack. Knack will start on Tuesday night.
With the July 30 trade deadline approaching, the Dodgers may seek a trade partner for Paxton. The team has seven days to trade, release, or send Paxton outright to the minors. He has the right to decline a minor league assignment and opt for free agency.
