Paxton set to return as Yankees host Padres

Yankees left-hander James Paxton will return from the injured list Wednesday to start against breakout Padres rookie Chris Paddack.

Paxton confirmed Tuesday he would be ready for the interleague matchup. He has been out with left knee inflammation since making his last start with New York on May 3. He got a cortisone shot May 4 and has been testing the knee in extended spring training.

He felt sore after a 55-pitch, four-inning outing Friday but believes he can manage the discomfort and won’t make the injury worse by pushing it.

Because Sabathia would not be able to pitch until Sunday, it would push Masahiro Tanaka out of the Red Sox series and into next week. J.A. Happ’s turn in the rotation would come on Thursday while Domingo German is slated for Friday, leaving Saturday still to be determined.  The Yankees have used an opener with Chad Green pitching at least the first inning three times in their last 10 games, but have had success doing so, winning each of those games.

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David Hale, Chance Adams and Nestor Cortes Jr. were able to provide some length following Green. Adams has since been optioned back to Triple-A, while Hale, Cortes or perhaps Luis Cessa could get the ball Saturday in relief of Green. 

Things could get even more interesting next week, too. 

Dallas Keuchel could sign with a team once the MLB Amateur Draft begins on Monday and the Yankees have been in the mix. With Luis Severino still not likely to return until after the All-Star break and German likely facing an innings limit in his first full season as a starter, Keuchel is certainly an arm the Yankees could use for the remainder of the season. 

Paxton (3-2, 3.11 ERA) has been out since May 3, when he exited a start against Minnesota after the third inning. He was placed on the injured list the following day, and the Yankees estimated Paxton would be out at least three weeks. Paxton is 1-1 with a 2.79 ERA in two career starts against the Padres, whom he faced while pitching for the Seattle Mariners.

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