New York Yankees starting pitcher James Paxton is expected to miss three to four months after having back surgery Wednesday.

The Yankees announced that Paxton underwent a microscopic lumbar discectomy and also had a peridiscal cyst removed. The surgery was performed by Dr. Andrew Dossett in Dallas. Yankees general manager Brian Cashman told the New York Post that Paxton first started having back pain at the end of the 2019 regular season. He initially responded well to treatment before experiencing a setback last month, Cashman told the Post.

Paxton left his final regular-season start, at Texas on Sept. 27, after one inning with what the Yankees said was a tight left glute muscle. That ended Paxton's career-best streak of victories in 10 consecutive starts. He was 1-0 with a 3.46 ERA in three postseason starts, allowing five runs in 13 innings.

Hoping to avoid surgery, he had injections in his back last month but ultimately needed the operation when the back pain persisted, Cashman told the Post.

Paxton, 31, went 15-6 with a 3.82 ERA in 29 starts last season, his first with the Yankees. He is scheduled to become an unrestricted free agent after the 2020 season.

The Yankees acquired Paxton last offseason in a trade with the Mariners. In an injury-riddled season for the Yankees' staff, Paxton helped New York to an American League East title in convincing fashion. He was 5-6 in July but started to reduce his percentage of fastballs and went on his streak. He agreed last month to a $12.5 million, one-year contract.

His injury weakens a Yankees rotation already missing right-hander Domingo German, who must serve the final 63 games of an 81-game suspension for violating Major League Baseball's domestic violence policy. He is eligible to return June 5, barring any postponements.

After agreeing to a $324 million, nine-year contract, right-hander Gerrit Cole heads a rotation that includes righties Luis Severino and Masahiro Tanaka and lefty J.A. Happ. Lefty Jordan Montgomery, who returned in September from Tommy John surgery, is the most likely candidate to replace Paxton in the rotation at the start of the season.

Paxton's injury continues an alarming trend for the Yankees, dating back to last season. New York placed a big league record 30 players on the injured list a total of 39 times last season, then overhauled its training and conditioning staff.

But when New York's pitchers and catchers report to spring training in Tampa Feb. 12, before position players report Feb. 17, not only will the Yankees be without Paxton, but also switch-hitting center fielder Aaron Hicks. He is not expected back until June or July following Tommy John surgery on his right elbow on Oct. 31.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.