New York Yankees left-handed pitcher James Paxton says he is healthy. Paxton recently spoke with the YES Network’s Meredith Marakovits on the network’s YES We’re Here program. Paxton talked about the bullpen sessions he has thrown, and he said that his back has recovered following surgery.
“The back is a non-issue. I feel totally healthy,” Paxton said.
"I'll be ready to go."
James Paxton’s back is "a non-issue" and he's ready to rejoin the Yankees rotation when the season begins, he tells @M_Marakovits. #YESWereHere pic.twitter.com/fW1uyts9WP
— YES Network (@YESNetwork) May 22, 2020
Paxton has been throwing two bullpens a week at a private baseball facility that his friend owns. He was a little nervous when he first started his bullpen sessions, but his results leave him feeling confident.
“I was feeling really good playing catch,” Paxton said. “It is always different on the mound so I was really interested to see how I would feel the next day. I never really had issues with the back after I kind of got going.”
Paxton underwent the operation in early February to remove a cyst from his lumbar region. The original diagnosis put Paxton on the shelf for three to four months, so he looks to be right on schedule with his recovery.
He also noted that he is starting to get his velocity back and the feel for his breaking pitches. He has made modifications to his routine to include more maintenance for his back so that it stays loose. Everything is coming together for him, leading to a feeling that he is at full strength.
“If Spring Training would be ready to start tomorrow, I would be ready to be just like the other guys and do the regular stuff,” Paxton said.
Passing The Time
Now that James Paxton is healthy, he is passing the time with several activities. The first of which is working on his spin rate and developing a changeup. He has been in contact with the Yankees new pitching coach Matt Blake as well as other teammates such as Gerrit Cole and Zack Britton.
Paxton and his family have also kept busy by going for bike rides and creating Tik Tok videos. Paxton admits he is not social media savvy, but he works as the cameraman for his wife’s Tik Toks.
Paxton’s health update is big news for the Yankees, who will also play this season without Luis Severino, who underwent Tommy John surgery in Spring Training. Now, barring any future setbacks, they will be able to slot Paxton into the top of their rotation with Cole and Masahiro Tanaka if and when the 2020 season finally begins.
Main Photo: Embed from Getty Images
