Pitching in the majors for the first time since April 6, 2021, Red Sox starter James Paxton felt like he was making his debut all over again Friday night.
The lanky left-hander, back in action following a lengthy recovery post-Tommy John surgery, allowed two earned runs on four hits and struck out nine in five solid innings.
“I felt like myself out there,” Paxton told reporters.
Though the Red Sox lost, 8-6, to the Cardinals at Fenway Park, it was a productive return for the hard-throwing Canadian. Paxton, who was credited with a no-decision, touched 98 and only walked one.