Dodgers Were Concerned With Starting Pitcher's Injury History Before Signing Him This Offseason

They wanted to make sure he was fully healthy.

The Los Angeles Dodgers knew they needed to add depth to their rotation this offseason. They knew they would be without Walker Buehler, Dustin May, Tony Gonsolin and Clayton Kershaw to start the season.

They turned to James Paxton, a veteran who had a decent season with Boston in 2023. 

The two parties agreed to a one-year contract in January, but the team ended up restructuring the deal following the physical.

Paxton had Tommy John surgery in 2021 and had some knee issues last season. The knee had the Dodgers worried.

"They wanted to talk about that. Obviously, going through the Tommy John (surgery in 2021) and talking about how my elbow was feeling and stuff like that. But that was about it.”

James Paxton via O.C. Register

Coming into his first spring Ttraining with the Dodgers, Paxton feels "really good right now," and there is a plan in place to manage his workload. 

When speaking to the media, he assured everyone that his body feels great physically. He's just older and "not perfect anymore." 

He threw his first bullpen of spring Ttraining on Saturday and has "no doubt" that he will be a full go for the start of the season.