James Paxton Fantasy Baseball News
by RotoWire Staff | RotoWire
Mariners’ James Paxton: Velocity encouragingly back
James Paxton, who recorded eight strikeouts over 4.1 innings in his Cactus League debut versus the Brewers on Sunday, saw his fastball top out at 97 mph during the outing, Daniel Kramer of MLB.com reports. “This is what I’ve been working for,” Paxton said. “Last year was tough for me. I didn’t have any of the velo, my body wasn’t in the right place, but I went to work this offseason and I feel like I’m in a really good place now.”Paxton had been putting in work exclusively on the back fields of the Seattle Mariners’ spring complex due to a now-resolved visa issue, so Sunday marked his first time facing opposing hitters since Aug. 20 of last season while with the Yankees. The left-hander battled back and flexor injuries last season, which led to the average velocity on his fastball dropping to a career-low 92.2 mph. That made his form in Sunday’s outing, during which Paxton struck out exactly half of the 16 hitters he faced and yielded just two hits, particularly encouraging. Paxton likely lines up for one more Cactus League start before the end of spring training.
by RotoWire Staff | RotoWire
Mariners’ James Paxton: Cactus League debut on tap
James Paxton’s next start will come in a Cactus League matchup, Shannon Drayer of 710 ESPN Seattle reports.Paxton has been healthy and free of any issues early in spring training, but he had been preparing for the regular season during morning workouts and “B” games to begin camp. However, manager Scott Servais confirmed Thursday that Paxton’s next appearance will be in a Cactus League game. While Servais didn’t reveal what day Paxton will start, the southpaw remains on track for the regular season.
by RotoWire Staff | RotoWire
Mariners’ James Paxton: On track for regular season
James Paxton, who hasn’t pitched in any Cactus League games, continues to ramp up for the regular season with morning workouts and “B” games, Alyson Footer of MLB.com reports. “We’ve been doing morning work with James; no injuries, no issues at all,” general manager Jerry Dipoto said. “The fact that you haven’t seen him in an ‘A’ game has nothing to do with his physical health. He’s looked great since the day he got in.”Paxton is the only member of Seattle’s projected six-man starting rotation who hasn’t yet taken the mound in an official spring training game, but the team has repeatedly confirmed the veteran isn’t dealing with any health issues. Dipoto also said Wednesday that Paxton has been regularly hitting 95-96 mph with his fastball and has already stretched out to four innings. The projected No. 2 starter remains on track to take his first regular-season return through the rotation, and he’s slated to pitch in another “B” game this coming weekend.
by RotoWire Staff | RotoWire
Mariners’ James Paxton: Working through visa issues
James Paxton has had two Cactus League starts canceled due to appointments to sort out a visa issue, Ryan Divish of The Seattle Times reports.The Canadian lefty has pitched simulated games instead of making those starts. He’s yet to appear in a Cactus League game this spring but has reportedly looked good in those sim games. Assuming he gets it all sorted out this week, Paxton will debut in exhibition action Sunday against the Brewers.
by RotoWire Staff | RotoWire
Mariners’ James Paxton: Pitching another sim game
James Paxton was scratched from his scheduled start in Monday’s Cactus League game against the Diamondbacks, Ryan Divish of The Seattle Times reports.Paxton was expected to make his spring debut Monday, but he’ll instead throw in a simulated game since he had to address a personal matter that would have conflicted with the Cactus League game. The left-hander is still expected to increase his pitch count in the sim game, so he remains on track to be ready for the start of the season. Ljay Newsome will get the start against the Diamondbacks in Paxton’s stead.
by RotoWire Staff | RotoWire
Mariners’ James Paxton: Set for second sim game
James Paxton will pitch in a second simulated game Tuesday, which would normally be his day in the rotation, Daniel Kramer of MLB.com reports.Paxton has yet to make his spring debut, but his delay in jumping into game action is unrelated to any health issue. Rather, the left-hander has been looking to refine some secondary pitches, and Kramer adds that the team is also opting to have him get his work in sim games for the moment “due to scheduling and logistics purposes.”
by RotoWire Staff | RotoWire
Mariners’ James Paxton: Sharp in sim game
James Paxton, whose Wednesday spring start against the Cubs was rescheduled, pitched in a three-inning simulated game to catcher Tom Murphy instead and looked sharp, Daniel Kramer of MLB.com reports.The veteran left-hander’s start was rescheduled at his own request, as Paxton wanted additional time to refine his secondary pitches while creating more consistent direction and timing in the downhill portion of his delivery. Paxton noted he’s specifically been trying to get his “explosion toward the plate” right and felt that he was able to improve on it the more he pitched to Murphy, with whom he’s working on developing a rapport. Paxton anticipates he’ll be ready to make his Cactus League debut early next week, potentially Monday against the Indians.
by RotoWire Staff | RotoWire
Mariners’ James Paxton: Nixed start not injury-related
The rescheduling of James Paxton’s Wednesday start against the Cubs wasn’t due to any health concern with the left-hander, Daniel Kramer of MLB.com reports. “Pax is completely healthy,” manager Scott Servais said. “It’s just kind of shifting things around a little bit, lining up our rotation going from there. … But there’s absolutely nothing wrong health-wise with Pax. We’re just going to give him a couple more days before he goes back out there.”The veteran isn’t slated to take the mound until at least early next week at this point, as the Seattle Mariners have mapped out their starting pitching assignments through the weekend. Servais’ assurance that Paxton’s health isn’t at cause for the shuffle is certainly encouraging after the southpaw’s 2020 season with the Yankees was mostly derailed by forearm and back injuries.
by RotoWire Staff | RotoWire
Mariners’ James Paxton: Set for first Cactus League start
James Paxton is scheduled to start Wednesday’s Cactus League game against the Cubs, Daniel Kramer of MLB.com reports.The veteran southpaw’s work will undoubtedly be scrutinized this spring in his return to Seattle after a mixed bag of a two-year stay with the Yankees. After back and forearm injuries limited him to just five starts in 2020 following a 15-6 mark the prior season, Paxton spent most of the offseason rebuilding his strength and refining his mechanics. He now considers himself at full health and commented last week that he expects to build up to a five- or six-inning workload by the end of spring training.
by RotoWire Staff | RotoWire
Mariners’ James Paxton: Returning to Seattle
James Paxton agreed to a one-year, $8.5 million contract with the Seattle Mariners on Saturday, Jeff Passan of ESPN.com reports.The 32-year-old could earn up to $10 million with incentives, and he’ll make his way back to the Mariners after the team traded him to the Yankees following the 2018 season. Paxton struggled in 2020 with a 6.64 ERA, 1.48 WHIP and 26:7 K:BB over 20.1 innings before going down with a forearm injury. The left-hander saw his fastball velocity drop three ticks to 92.2 MPH last season, but he reached 94 MPH while throwing for scouts this offseason as he hopes for a rebound campaign in 2021.
