Paxton (hamstring) is scheduled to make his fifth rehab start Sunday with Triple-A Worcester, Alex Speier of The Boston Globe reports.

EDGE Analysis

Though Paxton reported to spring training at full health after a lat injury suffered during a rehab assignment late last season prevented him from making his return to the big leagues following his April 2021 Tommy John surgery, he suffered a Grade 1 hamstring strain March 3 and opened the 2023 campaign on the injured list. While Paxton has remained free of any arm-related setbacks, the Red Sox have been slow-playing his return from the hamstring injury, likely due in some part to the fact that a rotation spot may not be available to the veteran southpaw. Paxton hasn't helped his case for being activated from the IL by getting lit up in his most recent two rehab starts, as he surrendered 12 runs (11 earned) on seven hits and six walks over five innings between those outings. If Paxton can sharpen his control Sunday while bumping up his pitch count to the 85-to-90 range, the Red Sox will face a tough decision regarding whether to activate him and what kind of role he might handle.

Paxton (hamstring) allowed seven runs on five hits and two walks over two-thirds of an inning in a rehab outing for Triple-A Worcester on Wednesday.

EDGE Analysis

Paxton, making the third appearance of a rehab assignment, entered the game as a reliever and was scheduled to throw five innings but was given the hook after 43 pitches. Obviously the results are not what the Red Sox were looking for from the lefty, who was expected to need a couple more outings before joining the Red Sox. It's unclear if Wednesday's performance changes that plan. Of note, the appearance as a reliever suggests the Red Sox may be signaling a relief role for Paxton when he is eventually activated.

Paxton (hamstring) will make at least one additional rehab start after Friday's outing before being considered for the Red Sox' rotation, Alex Speier of The Boston Globe reports.

EDGE Analysis

Paxton was a little wild but overall effective in his first rehab start with Triple-A Worcester and will look to get a little more stretched out Friday. If he has just one more rehab outing after that, it could potentially set him up to join Boston's rotation as soon as April 24. Nothing has been decided, though, regarding Paxton's return date or role.

Paxton (hamstring) will make a rehab start at Triple-A Worcester on Friday, Ian Browne of MLB.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

This will be Paxton's second rehab start; the lefty threw three innings for the WooSox on Sunday. After Friday, he could need another start or two before his activation. What Paxton's role will be, however, remains an open question. The Red Sox will have Brayan Bello (forearm), Corey Kluber, Chris Sale and Garrett Whitlock locked in the rotation. That leaves Paxton vying with Tanner Houck and Nick Pivetta for the final spot.

Paxton (hamstring) allowed two hits and two walks while striking out three over three scoreless innings in a rehab start for Triple-A Worcester on Sunday.

EDGE Analysis

Paxton threw 58 pitches (34 strikes) during a start in which he had been scheduled to go four innings. Presumably, missing the zone on 41 percent of his pitches elevated the pitch count and limited him to three frames. The left-hander is expected to get another start or two in the minors, before the Red Sox make a decision. Both Garrett Whitlock (hip) and Brayan Bello (forearm) are expected to return from injury -- Whitlock this week, Bello next week -- which makes for a crowded rotation. Chris Sale and Corey Kluber are locked in. Tanner Houck could move back to the bullpen, which leaves manager Alex Cora with a decision on whether Paxton or Nick Pivetta should have the fifth spot in the rotation.

Paxton (hamstring) will make a rehab start for Triple-A Worcester on Sunday, Christopher Smith of The Springfield Republican reports.

EDGE Analysis

Paxton covered three frames during an intrasquad game this week after his rehab outing was scratched due to weather concerns, and he's scheduled to pitch four innings Sunday with Worcester. The veteran left-hander will likely require an additional rehab outing or two before potentially being cleared to join Boston's rotation.

Paxton (hamstring) touched 94 mph over a three-inning intrasquad game at the Red Sox' spring training complex in Florida on Tuesday, Alex Speier of The Boston Globe reports.

EDGE Analysis

Paxton had been slated to make his first rehab start with Triple-A Worcester, but he remained in Florida instead due to weather-related concerns. Things went off without a hitch during the left-hander's outing Tuesday as he continues to ramp back up following an early-March hamstring strain. Paxton is aiming to join the Red Sox' rotation by late April.

Paxton (hamstring) will pitch in an intrasquad game Tuesday at the Red Sox' spring training complex in Florida rather than make a rehab start with Triple-A Worcester as initially scheduled, Alex Speier of The Boston Globe reports.

EDGE Analysis

The team reversed course due to weather-related concerns and Worcester's game actually wound up being rained out. Paxton figures to be ready for another start Sunday, with that one hopefully coming at a minor-league affiliate. The hope is that the veteran southpaw will be ready to join Boston's rotation in late April.

Paxton (hamstring) is scheduled to make a rehab start Tuesday for Triple-A Worcester, Jen McCaffrey of The Athletic reports.

EDGE Analysis

Paxton will make the rehab start in Buffalo against the Blue Jays' Triple-A club. The left-hander is making his way back from a hamstring strain that sidelined him throughout the spring season, and he will likely need to make multiple starts in the minors before rejoining the Red Sox near the end of April.

Paxton (hamstring) tentatively appears to be on track to return from the 15-day injured list in late April, Pete Abraham of The Boston Globe reports.

EDGE Analysis

One of three Red Sox starting pitchers who opened the season on the IL, Paxton is without a firm target date for his return, but Abraham notes that the veteran southpaw is behind both Garrett Whitlock (hip) and Brayan Bello (forearm) in his rehab program. Of the trio, Whitlock appears closest to a return, as he'll be pitching Friday for Triple-A Worcester in the first of what's expected to be two rehab starts for the affiliate before he likely comes off the IL as early as April 11. Meanwhile, Abraham notes that Bello is about a week behind Whitlock, while Paxton is about 7-to-10 days behind Bello. Paxton is expected to begin a minor-league rehab assignment of his own Monday but looks as though he'll need at least three starts to get fully stretched out.