James Paxton Suggests Best Case Scenario Would Be Mid-May Return to Yankees Rotation

The New York Yankees have been butchered with injuries early on in Spring Training. Fortunately for manager Aaron Boone, his team boasts the necessary depth to overcome the list of players currently shelved.

One of the first players to go under the knife this offseason was starter James Paxton, who underwent back surgery in early February to repair a herniated disk and remove a cyst.

The 31-year-old left hander spoke to reporters on Wednesday, saying that the best case scenario would be a mid-May return to the bump.

James Paxton said, best case, he’s back in mid-May. Just played catch for the first time since surgery.
— Brendan Kuty (@BrendanKutyNJ) March 11, 2020

Doctors tabbed May or June as the approximate return date for Paxton, and his claims suggest that he's on pace with that timetable.

It's not an ideal scenario in that the cysts could have been addressed much earlier, but any updates that don't feature a setback should please Yankees fans. That's simply how important Paxton's return is following Luis Severino undergoing Tommy John surgery.

James Paxton said that today was the first time he had thrown since December. Everything felt good and he believes mid-May would be his best case scenario to pitch in an @mlb game.
— Bryan Hoch (@BryanHoch) March 11, 2020

The Big Maple plans to start a throwing program on Wednesday, and he further acknowledged it marked the first time he had thrown a baseball since December.

While Paxton claiming to not feel any discomfort is an encouraging sign, the Yankees should continue to slow-play his rehab.