The Dodgers designated James Paxton for assignment on Monday, a surprising move considering the team has been short on starting pitching for weeks and the team was 14-4 in games he started.
Paxton, 35, was 8-2 with a 4.43 earned-run average across 18 starts. Only Gavin Stone, who had also made 18 starts, was as available to the Dodgers this season. Seven Dodgers starting pitchers are currently on the 15- or 60-day injured list. So why cut loose one of the team’s most successful starters?
In short, the Dodgers needed to clear room on their 40-man roster for River Ryan, who’s scheduled to start Monday against the San Francisco Giants.