The Red Sox put left-hander James Paxton on the 15-day injured list on Monday because of a strained right calf. This decision came a day after Paxton limped off the field in the first inning while trying to cover first base quickly.
“MRI this morning, they got the results,” manager Alex Cora said before Boston’s game against Texas in their three-game series opener. “He’s in pain. We’ll see what happens.”
The 35-year-old Paxton had turned quickly and was heading off the mound when Yordan Alvarez hit a grounder to first baseman Dominic Smith. He glanced back at the mound, then went down to one knee and had trouble putting weight on his leg when he got up.
“I felt like I got kicked in the calf. Then, I kind of turned around, took another step and I felt it again,” Paxton said after the Astros defeated the Red Sox 10-2. “I was like: ‘It’s not good. It’s my calf.’ I felt it pop.”
In addition to placing Paxton on the injured list, the Red Sox made several other moves.
They reinstated Monday’s starter, Brayan Bello, from the paternity list and recalled lefty Bailey Horn from Triple-A Worcester.
The team also suspended outfielder Jarren Duran for two days without pay after he used a homophobic slur against a fan who was taunting him during the loss to Houston on Sunday.
They selected right-hander Chase Shugart and catcher/infielder Mickey Gasper from Worcester.
Additionally, they sent pitchers Brennan Bernardino and Brad Keller to Worcester and designated Jamie Westbrook for assignment.
