James Paxton pulled from first rehab start, reportedly due to lat tightness

James Paxton #44 of the Seattle Mariners waves to fans before the game against the Kansas City Royals at T-Mobile Park on August 29, 2021 in Seattle, Washington. (Photo by Steph Chambers/Getty Images)Red Sox starter James Paxton made his first rehab start in the Florida Complex League on Thursday, but it ended earlier than the Red Sox would have liked.

According to SoxProspects on Twitter, Paxton — who signed with the Red Sox this past offseason — retired two batters, but then exited the game. Alex Cora later confirmed multiple reports that Paxton suffered lat tightness.

Paxton pitched just five games in 2020 with the Yankees after suffering a flexor strain in his pitching arm (the left). He…