Dodgers designate James Paxton for assignment

Dodgers designate James Paxton for assignment

In order to make room for No. 4 prospect River Ryan, who’s making his debut Monday night against the San Francisco Giants, the Los Angeles Dodgers are designating southpaw starter James Paxton for assignment, the team announced Monday.

Paxton, 35, has been one of the team’s most reliable starters this season–both in terms of health and performance. In 18 starts, he posted a 4.43 ERA with 64 strikeouts in 89.1 innings.

The Dodgers’ rotation has been riddled with injuries. Clayton Kershaw is expected to make his season debut this week while Tyler Glasnow, who’s been out since early July, is returning as well; Walker Buehler and Michael Grove are shelved on the injured list with the former’s status more up in the air.

Nevertheless, Paxton is one of three starters–in addition to Glasnow and Gavin Stone–who have started at least 18 games for the Dodgers. Only one other player (Yoshinobu Yamamoto) has started more than eight.

“Obviously not an easy decision,” Brandon Gomes, Dodgers general manager, said Monday evening, according to MLB.com’s Juan Toribio. “Pax is a total pro, did everything that we asked of him. I think with where we’re at right now, fortunately enough, it feels like there’s some starting pitching coming back health-wise. … Everything that went into that decision was winning games short-term, but also looking at what we would project as potential postseason, down-the-stretch roster.”

Paxton’s underlying metrics aren’t ideal. He’s got a 4.96 FIP and grades in the 16th percentile or worse in expected ERA, average exit velocity, chase rate, strikeout rate, walk rate and hard-hit rate allowed, according to Baseball Savant. He was one of their better starters, all things considered. Though with bodies coming back, there wasn’t enough room–especially since this won’t be the last 40-man decision it will make over the next 48-72 hours.

In just 16.1 innings in Triple-A Oklahoma City, Ryan posted a 2.76 ERA with a 3.64 FIP and 3.75 FIP. He struck out 19 batters to just six walks in 16.1 innings, sporting a 19.7 K-BB%. He’s got a good fastball with a solid slider and curveball. Who knows whether or not how long he will stick in the rotation with his limited work in 2024, but the former 11th-round selection could be a good option to be an innings eater when needed.

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