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. Certainly one of their signings that considerably flew beneath 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 latest begin, together with L.A. Occasions workers author Mike Digiovanna, and stated he’s lastly wholesome and is trying to throw extra of his breaking stuff this yr.
“I felt like I used to be capable of finding my velocity with the fastball final yr, and that was large for me, however I’m wanting ahead to utilizing the breaking stuff extra this yr — I really feel like I’m in a greater spot with it,” Paxton stated. “And I’ll be able to throw extra innings this yr. The physique feels actually good, so I’m able to go.”
—James Paxton, by way of L.A. Occasions
Well being has been a major concern for Paxton over the course of his profession. Each he and the Dodgers hope to alter that.
Paxton has had his fair proportion of accidents, together with a knee damage he suffered in Sept. 2023 to finish his season after lacking all of 2022 after present process Tommy John.
Nonetheless, he’s a menace 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 document in 5 begins.
Paxton is trying to discover that model of himself for a full season (or a minimum of a big a part of the season) in L.A. If he stays wholesome main as much as the common season, he’ll doubtless think about because the No. 4 starter for the Dodgers to open the yr.
If his “breaking stuff” is firing on all cylinders, he’ll add one other dimension to this already dominant rotation.
Picture Credit score: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-USA TODAY Sports activities
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