Yankees Keep Letting James Paxton Pitch With Knee Pain for Some Reason

New York Yankees left-hander James Paxton has been out since early-May after leaving a start with a left knee injury.

It appeared he was trending in the right direction and would be pitching in the Bronx soon, but he didn't sound optimistic after his latest extended spring game.

“I felt it a little bit, but I still was able to make my pitches, which is what I wanted to see,” Paxton said. “If I come in tomorrow with more pain than I had walking in today, then we’ll have to do something. But, if I come in tomorrow and it feels the same as it did walking in today, then that’s just how I’m going to have to pitch for right now.”

While Paxton's willingness to play with pain in his knee is admirable, the Yankees need exercise extreme caution. They've already lost a handful of players to injuries, and a few among those have experienced setbacks. The last thing the club needs is for Paxton to get back on the mound and re-injure his ailing knee.

Maybe the Yankees should shut him down for a little while and hope the pain subsides. Letting him continue to go out there won't help his knee, and the way the team is playing of late, it may be wise to let Big Maple get back to 100% rather than rush him back to the mound.