BOSTON (AP) — The Red Sox placed left-hander James Paxton on the 15-day injured list Monday with a strained right calf, a day after he limped off the field in the first inning following a quick move trying to cover first base.
“MRI this morning, they got the results,” manager Alex Cora said before Boston faced Texas in the opener of a three-game series. “He’s in pain. We’ll see what happens.”
The 35-year-old Paxton turned quickly and was heading off the mound on Yordan Alvarez’s grounder to first baseman Dominic Smith. He looked back at the mound briefly, then went down to one knee and struggled to put weight on the leg when he got up.
“I felt like I got kicked in the calf. Then, I kind of turned around, took another step and I felt it again,” Paxton said after the Astros beat the Red Sox 10-2. “I was like: ‘It’s not good. It’s my calf.’ I felt it pop.”
Along with Paxton going on the IL, the Red Sox made a handful of other moves.
Monday’s starter Brayan Bello was reinstated from the paternity list, and they recalled lefty Bailey Horn from Triple-A Worcester.
Boston suspended outfielder Jarren Duran for two days without pay after he shouted a homophobic slur at a fan behind home plate who heckled him during the loss to Houston on Sunday.
They also selected right-hander Chase Shugart and catcher/infielder Mickey Gasper from Worcester.
In addition, they sent pitchers Brennan Bernardino and Brad Keller to Worcester and designated Jamie Westbrook for assignment.
AP MLB: https://apnews.com/hub/mlb
Boston Red Sox starting pitcher James Paxton limps off the field between manager Alex Cora, left, and a trainer during the first inning of a baseball game against the Houston Astros, Sunday, Aug. 11, 2024, in Boston. (AP Photo/Michael Dwyer)
Boston Red Sox manager Alex Cora, left, and a trainer check on starting pitcher James Paxton, right, during the first inning of a baseball game against the Houston Astros, Sunday, Aug. 11, 2024, in Boston. (AP Photo/Michael Dwyer)
BOSTON (AP) — Jayson Tatum had 35 points and seven rebounds and the Boston Celtics powered past the Philadelphia 76ers 123-105 on Thursday night.
It was Tatum’s 24th game this season with at least 30 points even though he sat out the entire fourth quarter as Boston won for the ninth time in its last 11 games.
Payton Pritchard added 19 points and Derrick White finished with 12 points after having one of his teeth knocked out in the first half when he took an inadvertent elbow. But he returned to start the third quarter.
Kelly Oubre Jr. led the 76ers with 27 points and Lonnie Walker IV added 17.
Both teams were short-handed.
The Celtics played without Jaylen Brown (knee), Jrue Holiday (finger), Al Horford (toe), Kristaps Porzingis (illness) and Sam Hauser (ankle).
The 76ers were missing Joel Embiid (knee), Paul George (left groin), Eric Gordon (wrist), Kyle Lowry (hip), Tyrese Maxey (back) and Jared McCain (knee).
76ers: Oubre tried to carry the scoring load on a night when he was surrounded by reserves. But he didn’t get nearly enough help.
Celtics: As Boston gets over some recent ailments, young players continue to have some promising moments. Neemias Queta was scolded by coach Joe Mazzulla after a first-half stint, but was mostly solid down the stretch, finishing with eight points, nine rebounds and and four assists.
The Celtics led 97-79 heading into the fourth quarter. They then opened the final period on a 10-0 run that included six straight points – and back-to-back dunks – by Queta as Boston’s lead grew to 30.
In the third quarter Tatum was whistled for his 10th technical foul of the season. That leaves him six away from a one-game suspension.
The 76ers host Utah on Sunday night. The Celtics host the Los Angeles Lakers on Saturday night.
AP NBA: https://apnews.com/hub/nba
Philadelphia 76ers guard Kelly Oubre Jr. (9) argues a call during the first half of an NBA basketball game against the Boston Celtics, Thursday, March 6, 2025, in Boston. (AP Photo/Charles Krupa)
Boston Celtics forward Torrey Craig (12) looks to pass while pressured by Philadelphia 76ers guard Quentin Grimes (5) during the first half of an NBA basketball game, Thursday, March 6, 2025, in Boston. (AP Photo/Charles Krupa)
Boston Celtics forward Jayson Tatum (0) drives to the basket against the ePhiladelphia 76ers during the first half of an NBA basketball game, Thursday, March 6, 2025, in Boston. (AP Photo/Charles Krupa)
Boston Celtics head coach Joe Mazzulla calls to his players during the first half of an NBA basketball game against the Philadelphia 76ers, Thursday, March 6, 2025, in Boston. (AP Photo/Charles Krupa)
Boston Celtics center Luke Kornet (40) battles for a rebound against Philadelphia 76ers guard Kelly Oubre Jr. during the first half of an NBA basketball game, Thursday, March 6, 2025, in Boston. (AP Photo/Charles Krupa)
Boston Celtics guard Derrick White, right, is pressured by Philadelphia 76ers guard Kelly Oubre Jr. on a shot during the first half of an NBA basketball game, Thursday, March 6, 2025, in Boston. (AP Photo/Charles Krupa)
Boston Celtics forward Jayson Tatum (0) celebrates after a 3-pointer against the Philadelphia 76ers during the first half of an NBA basketball game, Thursday, March 6, 2025, in Boston. (AP Photo/Charles Krupa)
Boston Celtics forward Jayson Tatum (0) drives to the basket on a dunk against the Philadelphia 76ers during the first half of an NBA basketball game, Thursday, March 6, 2025, in Boston. (AP Photo/Charles Krupa)
