Yankees’ James Paxton out 3-4 months following back surgery

The Yankees’ injury bug seems to have returned for another season.

Left-handed pitcher James Paxton is expected to miss three-to-four months after undergoing lower back surgery to remove a peridiscal cyst, the team announced Wednesday, leaving him out until about June.

Paxton, 31, is in his walk year and battled injuries for most of 2019, his first season with the Yankees.

Paxton first experienced pain the final week of last season, according to The Post’s Joel Sherman, who spoke with GM Brian Cashman. While the pain was managed throughout the playoffs, issues arose a month ago, which led to the surgery.

Paxton was 15-6 with a 3.82 ERA in 29 games last season, when the Yankees saw 30 different players head to the injured list for a record 2,433 days lost.

With Paxton’s health uncertain, the Yankees kept possible trade candidates James Happ and Jordan Montgomery as insurance.

Paxton would have entered this season as the Yankees’ No. 2 starter behind newly signed ace Gerrit Cole.

Yankees pitchers and catchers report to spring training Feb. 12 in Tampa, with position players following five days later.

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