Starting pitcher James Paxton limps off the field with the help of manager Alex Cora (left) and a trainer in the first inning of the Red Sox’s 10-2 loss to the Astros on Sunday at Fenway Park in Boston. Michael Dwyer/Associated Press
The Red Sox placed left-hander James Paxton on the 15-day injured list on Monday with a strained right calf, a day after he limped off the field in the first inning following a quick move while attempting to cover first base.
“MRI this morning, they got the results,” Red Sox manager Alex Cora said before Boston faced Texas in the opener of a three-game series. “He’s sore. We’ll see what happens.”
Paxton, 35, quickly turned and left the mound when Yordan Alvarez hit a grounder to first baseman Dominic Smith. He looked back to the mound briefly, then sank to one knee and struggled to put weight on the leg as he got back up.
“I felt like I’d been kicked in the calf. Then I turned around, took another step and felt it again,” Paxton said after the Astros beat the Red Sox 10-2. “I thought, ‘This is not good. It’s my calf.’ I felt it pop.”
In addition to placing Paxton on the injured list, the Red Sox have taken a number of other measures.
Monday’s starter Brayan Bello was activated from the paternity list and left-hander Bailey Horn was recalled from Triple-A Worcester.
They also selected right-hander Chase Shugart and catcher/infielder Mickey Gasper from Worcester.
They also sent pitchers Brennan Bernardino and Brad Keller to Worcester and designated Jamie Westbrook for assignment.
DODGERS: Mookie Betts is back with the Los Angeles Dodgers after missing nearly two months due to a fracture of his left hand.
The Dodgers announced before their Monday night game against the Milwaukee Brewers that they had activated the eight-time All-Star and 2018 AL MVP from the injured list. In the Dodgers’ starting lineup, Betts played second batter and right field.
Betts, who turns 32 on Oct. 7, had a .304 batting average with a .405 on-base percentage, 10 home runs, 40 RBIs and nine steals in 72 games when he went on the injured list on June 17. Betts sustained the injury when he was hit by a 97.9 mph fastball from Kansas City Royals relief pitcher Dan Altavilla on June 16.
Although Betts had played primarily as a shortstop and first batter before his injury, Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said last week that the team would move him to right field and use him as a second batter upon his return.
This move would allow two-time AL MVP Shohei Ohtani to remain at the first batting position, where he has pitched extremely well since Betts’ injury.
Los Angeles made room for him by calling up all-arounder Amed Rosario. Rosario, 28, had a .273 batting average with a .333 on-base percentage, no home runs, two RBIs and a steal in five games since the Dodgers acquired him from Tampa Bay last month.
Rosario had a .307 batting average with a .331 on-base percentage, two home runs, 26 RBIs and nine steals in 76 games with Tampa Bay.
RADIATION: Pitcher Ryan Pepiot could return to the rotation later this week after being hospitalized last month for a knee infection believed to be the result of a spider bite during the All-Star break.
Pepiot was admitted to Columbia University Medical Center in New York and received antibiotics for his right knee after being placed on the 15-day injured list on July 19.
Pepiot was bitten by insects during his golf break, but still traveled to a series with the New York Yankees.
The swelling of his knee was so great that he needed help to get to the hospital.
ASTROS: Justin Verlander is set to make his second minor league rehab appearance this week and could return to Houston’s rotation afterward.
The 41-year-old right-hander took his first step toward returning to the Astros by pitching three innings for Triple-A Sugar Land on Saturday night. The three-time Cy Young Award winner is recovering from a stiff neck that sidelined him for two months.
“He’s recovered well,” Houston manager Joe Espada said before Monday night’s game in Tampa Bay. “He feels good. He feels good.”
Verlander hasn’t pitched in the major leagues since June 9. He also missed the start of the season because of right shoulder inflammation before going 3-2 with a 3.95 ERA in 10 starts. He made his season debut on April 19.
Sailors: Seattle and outfielder Victor Robles have agreed to a two-year contract extension worth $9.75 million, according to a person familiar with the deal.
The deal also includes a $9 million option for the 2027 season.
Robles was a revelation for Seattle after being signed by Washington. Robles struggled to get playing time at first, but once he did, he made the lineup and was a key contributor for the Mariners in their push to the postseason.
Robles has a .303 batting average with seven doubles and three home runs in 42 games since joining the Mariners. He has also excelled as Seattle’s primary center fielder over the past three weeks with Julio Rodriguez sidelined with an ankle injury.
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