The Dodgers are cutting ties with one of the more consistent pieces of their rotation.
On Monday, multiple outlets reported that Los Angeles designated lefty James Paxton for assignment.
The 35-year-old Paxton, who pitched with the Yankees from 2019-20, posted a 4.43 ERA in 18 starts, striking out 64 but walking 48 in 89 ⅓ innings.
The move struck many as a surprise given the Canadian was one of three Dodgers arms to pitch more than 75 innings this year.
“It was a difficult decision. He handled it like a pro,” Dodgers manager Dave Roberts told reporters on Monday. “We feel good about the starting staff going forward.”
That includes several impressive starters returning.
All-Star and first-year Dodger Tyler Glasnow is slated to come back from a back injury Wednesday, while three-time Cy Young winner Clayton Kershaw is set to make his season debut Thursday after being sidelined with shoulder ailments.
The Dodgers are also giving one of their most promising young arms a big-league shot.
Organizational No. 4 prospect River Ryan, 25, made his MLB debut against the Giants on Monday, going 5 ⅓ innings while permitting one unearned run and four hits.
However, Los Angeles moving on from Paxton is also somewhat of a gamble given the team’s ongoing injury problems.
Marquee signee Yoshinobu Yamamoto — signed to a 12-year, $325 million contract this offseason — hasn’t pitched since June 15 due a shoulder injury, although he revealed Monday he intends to play again this year.
Standout Walker Buehler, who came back from an elbow injury in May, only made eight starts before landing back on the IL.
On top of that, flamethrower Dustin May — who hasn’t pitched at all in 2024 — was revealed to have a torn esophagus, remaining out for the rest of the season.
Despite the lengthy injury report all year, Los Angeles has gone 60-41, leading the NL West by 8 ½ games and comfortably in a playoff spot.
After moving on from Paxton, it seems that president of baseball operations Andrew Friedman will rely more on his higher-profile pitching talent — and potentially even make a bigger swing prior to the July 30 trade deadline.
