UPDATE: The Yankees official Twitter page is reporting that the Yankees pulled James Paxton after just 21 pitches Friday night because of a 'tight left glute' and was removed in the second inning as a 'precautionary measure.'
Yankees ace and potential Game 1 starter James Paxton left Friday's start versus the Texas after just 21 pitches. Aaron Boone said before the game that they planned on shortening Paxton's outing, but said they hoped he would get into the 'middle innings'.
There haven't been any updates on a potential injury, but Paxton was replaced by bullpen hand Ben Heller.
A potential loss to Paxton would be catastrophic for the Yankees, as the streaking Canadian has won his last 10 starts and hitters are batting just .209 against him in the second half.
Paxton is 15-6 on the year with a 3.73 ERA and 1.27 WHIP. He has struck out 185 batters in just 149.2 innings.