Red Sox lefty Paxton hobbles off in 1st with calf strain

Boston Red Sox left-hander James Paxton left Sunday's game against the Houston Astros in the top of the first inning with a right calf strain.

Paxton limped off the field with the help of the training staff after tweaking his calf while trying to cover first base on a ground ball. He was replaced by right-hander Lucas Sims.

The 35-year-old was on crutches following the game and will undergo an MRI on Monday, according to Chris Cotillo of MassLive.

Paxton said he felt a pop in his calf, per Mac Cerullo of the Boston Herald.

The Red Sox acquired the Paxton from the Los Angeles Dodgers on July 26. It's his second stint with the team as he spent the 2023 campaign in Boston.

Paxton has made three starts for the Red Sox since the trade, posting a 1-1 record with a 4.09 ERA, a 1.36 WHIP, and nine strikeouts across 11 innings.