James Paxton Feels Good, Looking Forward to Throwing More ‘Breaking Stuff’ With Dodgers

The Los Angeles Dodgers had one heck of an offseason. The entrance workplace landed star participant after star participant, and expectations are sky excessive for the 2024 Dodgers.

Though the star additions overshadowed the offseason, and rightfully so, L.A. additionally added some much-needed pitching depth. One among their signings that considerably flew underneath the radar was the addition of left-handed pitcher James Paxton. Paxton will search for a wholesome and rejuvenated season in Los Angeles.

The 35-year-old spoke to the media after his current begin, together with L.A. Times staff writer Mike Digiovanna, and mentioned he’s lastly wholesome and is seeking to throw extra of his breaking stuff this 12 months.

“I felt like I used to be capable of finding my velocity with the fastball final 12 months, and that was large for me, however I’m trying ahead to utilizing the breaking stuff extra this 12 months — I really feel like I’m in a greater spot with it,” Paxton mentioned. “And I’ll be able to throw extra innings this 12 months. The physique feels actually good, so I’m able to go.”

—James Paxton, via L.A. Times

Well being has been a major concern for Paxton over the course of his profession. Each he and the Dodgers hope to vary that.

Paxton has had his fair proportion of accidents, together with a knee harm he suffered in Sept. 2023 to finish his season after lacking all of 2022 after present process Tommy John.

Nevertheless, he’s a risk on any given outing when he’s proper and on the mound, and confirmed that in June of final season, when he earned American League Pitcher of the Month after posting a 1.74 ERA and a 3-0 report in 5 begins.

Paxton is seeking to discover that model of himself for a full season (or not less than a big a part of the season) in L.A. If he stays wholesome main as much as the common season, he’ll possible consider because the No. 4 starter for the Dodgers to open the 12 months.

If his “breaking stuff” is firing on all cylinders, he’ll add one other dimension to this already dominant rotation.

Photograph Credit score: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-USA TODAY Sports activities

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