Red Sox LHP James Paxton forced to leave start vs. Astros with injury

The Boston Red Sox have battled injuries all year, and their rotation has struggled since the All-Star break, and their luck isn't getting any better.

In the first inning of Boston's Sunday afternoon battle with the Houston Astros, starting pitcher James Paxton was forced out of the game due to an injury in the first inning.

Boston just re-acquired Paxton at the MLB trade deadline from the Los Angeles Dodgers, and this was just his third start with the team this year.

They'll have to make it through the rest of this game with the bullpen.

The Red Sox also have Brayan Bello on the paternity list and had to skip Nick Pivetta's last turn through the rotation due to arm fatigue.

Garrett Whitlock and Lucas Giolito were also expected to be in the rotation at the beginning of the year, but they both suffered season-ending injuries.

Hopefully, this is just a scare for Paxton and isn't something more serious.

UPDATE: The team announced the injury as a right calf strain.

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