MLB fans stunned after Boston Red Sox starter James Paxton suffers another injury setback in first spring training start

This was supposed to be the year that starting pitcher James Paxton put it all together. It has been a frustrating three-year period for the lefty, who hasn't been able to find any consistency on the mound.

Paxton lasted just 1.2 innings against the Minnesota Twins before being pulled due to a right hamstring injury.

Boston gambled when they signed Paxton to a one-year, $10 million contract for the 2022 season. The agreement also provided Paxton with a $4 million player option for the 2023 season, which he exercised.

James Paxton is an excellent pitcher when healthy. Unfortunately, the 34-year-old constantly finds himself on the sidelines. Friday's hamstring injury is the latest in a long list of nagging injuries that have limited the pitcher to just six starts over the previous three seasons.

MLB fans took to Twitter to lament another setback for the pitcher that many fans had high hopes for.

The injury is a major blow for a Boston Red Sox pitching core that has been riddled with injuries over the past few seasons.

Chris Sale has appeared in only 14 games for the organization since 2020. Former Cy Young winner Corey Kluber missed most of 2019 and 2020. He started just eight games during that stretch.

James Paxton's time on the mound has been limited due to injuries over the previous 3 seasons

James Paxton throws a pitch against the Minnesota Twins during the first inning at Yankee Stadium

The gravity of Paxton's injury is yet to be determined. It will, however, be devastating news for a player who was looking to establish himself as one of the Red Sox's starters this season.

In 2020, Paxton was able to start just five games for the New York Yankees. A move to the Seattle Mariners in the offseason saw him face similar issues. He started just one game before being sidelined with a forearm injury.

Overall, James Paxton has a 57-33 record and a 3.59 lifetime ERA. He has held opposing hitters to a .239 batting average over 754.2 total innings pitched.

Red Sox fans will be disappointed that one of their star pitchers is out of action indefinitely. Boston finished last in the American League East last season and was hoping for a bounce back year. The club will rely on their younger prospects to step up to fill the void left by Paxton's injury.