Could Red Sox Pursue This Reunion After James Paxton’s Injury?

The Red Sox brought back James Paxton before the MLB trade deadline when they needed to bolster their starting pitching rotation.

But now that the veteran southpaw is injured, could Boston pursue another reunion on the mound?

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Another starting pitching transaction might be necessary for the Red Sox in wake of Sunday afternoon’s development. Paxton only threw five pitches against the Houston Astros at Fenway Park before he felt something “pop” and strained his right calf. The 35-year-old will undergo imaging on his calf Monday morning, but his initial impression was that the injury was “not good.”

Boston’s options will be limited if it’s forced to replace Paxton. The trading window has been closed, which might prompt Alex Cora and company to address the situation internally. However, there are other routes the Red Sox could take, and one of them is in their own neighborhood.

Rich Hill is keeping the door open for a return to the big leagues. The left-hander felt “100%” at his pitching showcase Friday, which Boston reportedly attended. Hill also isn’t too far removed from MLB work, as he pitched into October with the San Diego Padres last season.

Would Hill be a game-changer for the Red Sox? Most likely not. That probably would be true for any pitcher acquired in mid-August, let alone one who is 44 years old. But Hill seemingly could help Boston eat innings for the remainder of the regular season, and the Mass. native is plenty familiar with the organization following three prior stints with the storied franchise.

Of course, the Red Sox’s next step will be determined by the results of Paxton’s tests. But if Boston ends up being without “Big Maple” for an extended period of time, it potentially could turn to Hill as a low-risk option.