Paxton (2-0) picked up the win Monday, allowing two runs on three hits and a walk over six innings against Minnesota. He struck out four.

EDGE Analysis

Paxton nailed his first quality start of 2024 on Monday, getting on the board in the category after securing eight quality starts in 19 appearances last season. While he only allowed four base runners, Paxton was tagged for a pair of runs when Manuel Margot launched a two-run homer in the third to plate Austin Martin, who reached via walk. With one of baseball's best offenses behind him, Paxton seems primed to reach double-digit wins for the first time since 2019 if he can stay healthy.

Paxton (1-0) earned the win over San Francisco on Monday, pitching five shutout innings during which he allowed four hits and five walks while striking out five batters.

EDGE Analysis

Paxton put quite a bit of traffic on the basepaths due largely to his five free passes, but he held the Giants to an 0-for-4 mark with runners in scoring position to escape without allowing any runs. The veteran hurler has been troubled by injuries in recent campaigns but looked completely healthy in his 2024 debut, tossing 97 pitches. Paxton hasn't completed more than 100 innings or posted better than a 4.50 ERA since 2019, so he's far from a sure bet to be a reliable starter for the entirety of the campaign, but he appears to have a set spot at the back of the Dodgers' rotation for the time being.

Paxton is scheduled to start Monday's series opener versus the Giants at Dodger Stadium.

EDGE Analysis

The oft-injured southpaw has opened both of the past two seasons on the injured list, but he made it out of spring training unscathed and is set to make his Dodgers debut Monday as the team's No. 5 starter. Paxton, who received a $2 million bonus by virtue of being included on the Opening Day roster, will now be guaranteed $9 million in 2023 and can pocket up to $4 million in incentives based on number of games started. The 35-year-old built up to five innings and 80 pitches in his final spring start March 26, so he should be capable of working deep enough into Monday's outing to qualify for a win.

Paxton isn't expected to join the Dodgers for their season-opening two-game set against the Padres in South Korea, though he's physically fine, Juan Toribio of MLB.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

Paxton isn't dealing with any sort of injury, but he wouldn't be pitching in any capacity for either of the two games in Seoul, so the Dodgers are opting to have him work on building up at home rather than making the long trip overseas. Though an unspecified health issue resulted in a reduction of the guaranteed portion of the contract Paxton signed with Los Angeles in January, the left-hander has looked healthy while getting in limited work this spring, allowing just one run on two hits with a 7:2 K:BB over four innings. Paxton is lined up for a spot at the back of the Dodgers' rotation for the upcoming campaign.

Paxton will make his Cactus League debut Thursday against the Reds, Eric Stephen of SBNation.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

Paxton had the guaranteed money on his contract lowered when an unspecified issue arose during his physical. However, he hasn't been under any restrictions this spring and is fully expected to be part of the Dodgers' Opening Day rotation.

Paxton said Sunday that he "has no doubt" he'll be ready for Opening Day, Juan Toribio of MLB.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

The Dodgers wound up lowering the guaranteed amount of Paxton's contract due to an unspecified physical issue, adding in roster bonuses based on the left-hander's availability. The injury concern is considered minor, so it's not a surprise to hear Paxton isn't worried about being ready to roll by the opener. He'll remain a major injury risk, of course, as the 35-year-old has made just 25 combined starts at the big-league level since the start of the 2020 season.

Paxton's guaranteed salary in his new contract with the Dodgers was lowered from $11 million to $7 million due to an unspecified health issue, Fabian Ardaya and Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic report.

EDGE Analysis

The health concern is not considered serious and obviously didn't prevent a deal from being completed, but the two sides did agree to some restructuring. Paxton received a $3 million signing bonus along with a guaranteed salary of $4 million, and he can get a $2 million roster bonus if he's on the roster either for the Dodgers' opening series in Korea against the Padres on March 20 or their domestic opener on March 28 versus the Cardinals. If he's added to the roster by April 15, Paxton will get a $1 million bonus, as well as another $1 million if he makes 20 starts. There are also additional games started incentives. All told, Paxton's contract could max out at $13 million. While it's not clear what injury led to the contract alterations, worth noting is that Paxton's 2023 season ended due to right knee inflammation.

Paxton signed a one-year, $11 million contract with the Dodgers on Tuesday, Jon Heyman of the New York Post reports.

EDGE Analysis

Paxton will also receive a $1 million roster bonus assuming he's on the Opening Day roster, and he can make an additional $1 million through incentives. The left-hander held a 2.73 ERA in the first half and a 6.98 ERA in the second half in 2023 with the Red Sox while battling a knee issue down the stretch. Paxton will enter spring training with a clean bill of health but remains one of the bigger starting pitcher injury risks in MLB. However, the Dodgers are apparently willing to pay for some upside if it comes with the limited risk of a one-year deal.

Paxton and the Dodgers are closing in on a one-year contract worth close to $12 million, Mark Feinsand of MLB.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

The deal isn't official just yet, but the two sides are inching closer to a deal. If Paxton were to sign on with Los Angeles, he'd likely be asked to help shore up the back end of the Dodgers' starting rotation. The southpaw made 19 appearances in 2023 with the Red Sox after making only six starts across the 2020 and 2021 campaigns combined, turning in a 4.50 ERA and 1.31 WHIP with a 101:33 K:BB across 96 innings.

Boston placed Paxton on the 15-day injured list Sunday with right knee inflammation, Rob Bradford of WEEI.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

Paxton was supposed to start on extra rest Tuesday against the Yankees, but he has now been shut down for the final three weeks of the 2023 regular season due to lingering knee trouble. The veteran left-hander had surrendered 17 runs -- 16 earned -- over his last three outings covering just 9.2 innings. Nick Pivetta is expected to fill his rotation spot the rest of the way.