James Paxton confirms he'll be ready to pitch when baseball returns

New York Yankees leftyJames Paxton is healthy and has announced that he will be ready to pitch whenever baseball resumes.

Paxton confirmed on Friday that he's been throwing regular bullpens after recovering from a February back surgery.

"I think I've thrown probably 12-14 bullpens," Paxton told Meredith Marakovits on YES Network. "It's (my back) feeling really good. (My) back is a non-issue, I feel totally healthy, so I'll be ready to go as soon as the season comes about."

The 31-year-old said that he's been throwing at a private facility to ensure that he stays in shape during the pandemic. He added that his velocity "is getting better and better" and that everything, including the development of a new changeup, is "going really well."

"I think I'm back to full strength," Paxton said. "If a season was ready to start tomorrow or if spring training were ready to start tomorrow, I'd be ready to be just like one of the other guys and do all the regular stuff."

Paxton is going to be a big part of the Yankees' rotation and was expected to help anchor it alongside newly signed ace Gerrit Cole and Masahiro Tanaka before baseball was put on pause due to COVID-19.

The Canadian finished the 2019 season with a 15-6 record along with a 3.82 ERA and 186 strikeouts accross150 2/3 innings during his first season with the Yankees.

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