Yankees’ James Paxton still hoping to return for playoffs

Injured Yankees left-hander James Paxton hasn’t given up hope of pitching in the postseason even though it’s farfetched.

That’s the goal even though Paxton is still recovering from a flexor strain that occurred Aug. 24 and he sill hasn’t even thrown on flat ground since feeling discomfort playing catch on Sept. 8.

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“I’ve been talking to him every day,” Yankees manager Aaron Boone said Thursday. “He’s getting better. He’s just kind of keeping his nose down and working through it and trying to get right and get healthy to where he can at least still potentially be an option when it allows.”

It won’t allow at least until Oct. 8 because Paxton was transferred from the 10-day injured list to the 45-day IL on Wednesday. The Yankees could be playing Game 4 of a best-of-five Division Series on Oct. 8.

“I don’t think anything’s changed for (Paxton) from a work standpoint and how he’s going about his business,” Boone said.

Paxton has been a starting pitcher for his entire career, but his potential postseason role would be as a reliever, probably as a long man.

Of course, we’re a long, long way from Paxton becoming an option to be added to the Yankees’ playoff roster.

First off, Paxton needs to get healthy, then he has to start throwing, then work his way to throwing off a mound, then build up enough velocity and sharpness to convince Yankees management that he can get Major League hitters out in the most important games of the year.

Paxton, 31, was second on the Yankees in wins last year when he was 15-6 with a 3.82 ERA in 29 starts. This season, his last before free agency, the 6-foot-4 power pitcher was 1-1 with a 6.64 ERA and 26 strikeouts over 20 1/3 innings in five starts.

“I certainly feel for him,” Boone said. “I know how hard he’s worked through this to try and get right and get back.”

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