James Paxton Already Sensing Comfort With Red Sox Return

BOSTON -- James Paxton should feel rather comfortable at Fenway Park after spending the 2023 season with the Red Sox.

It turns out he does.

Paxton returned to the ballclub in a trade over the weekend with the Los Angeles Dodgers, who designated the left-hander for assignment after a strong start against the Red Sox a week ago.

Back in the Fenway clubhouse, the lefty is ready to make another impact in Boston.

"It's great," Paxton told reporters on Sunday. "Like I said before, it feels like I never left. Got a welcome from everybody. Feels really good to be here. I'm comfortable here. Excited to see what we got going on."

Paxton went 8-2 with a 4.43 ERA in 18 starts for the Dodgers this season and felt his stuff and velocity improve as the year went on, headlined by his last start against Boston. With a durable year of health thus far, he's ready to keep trending upwards back with the Red Sox.

"Physically, I feel great," Paxton shared. "There's no issues right now. "I'm going to continue working hard and try to keep it that way."

The veteran lefty heavily considered re-signing with Boston last winter before making a decision with his family to be on the West Coast, which led to the Dodgers deal.

"I had a feeling I was coming back here, which I was really happy about," Paxton said. "My agency was aware that Boston was trying to get me to come here. I was pretty aware this was a strong possibility. ... I love Boston and I'm really excited to be here."

Paxton joins a Boston rotation that's stood out in 2024 while needing additions with young starters racking up innings.

"This year, I'm feeling good," Paxton added. "I'm healthy and I'm really excited to be a part of what we have going on here and make a push for the postseason."

Paxton is slated to start for the Red Sox on Tuesday against the Seattle Mariners.