Red Sox acquire LHP James Paxton from Dodgers

The Boston Red Sox welcomed back a familiar face on Friday by acquiring left-hander James Paxton from the Los Angeles Dodgers.

The Red Sox sent minor league infielder Moises Bolivar to the Dodgers to complete the deal. Boston also transferred right-hander Bryan Mata to the 60-day injured list to make room for Paxton.

Paxton, who spent the 2023 season with Boston, was designated for assignment by Los Angeles on Monday. He posted an 8-2 record with a 4.43 ERA in 18 starts with the Dodgers since signing a one-year, $7 million contract in the offseason.

Paxton, 35, stepped up for Los Angeles while its rotation dealt with myriad injuries.

In 11 major league seasons, Paxton is 72-40 with a 3.76 ERA over 174 starts for the Seattle Mariners (2013-18, 2021), New York Yankees (2019-20), Red Sox and Dodgers.

Bolivar, 17, is batting .270 with three homers and 19 RBIs in 31 games with the Dominican Summer League Red Sox.