Boston Red Sox manager Alex Cora said that right-hander Cooper Criswell (illness) will likely be activated from the seven-day COVID injured list in order to start on Friday at Camden Yards against the division-rival Baltimore Orioles. Not only will Criswell return to the starting rotation on Friday, but he figures to stick around for the foreseeable future with left-hander James Paxton unlikely to pitch again this year after suffering a partial calf tear earlier this week. The 28-year-old Criswell won't be a recommended fantasy streamer in his return from a rough bout with COVID against one of the best offenses in baseball, though. Criswell last started for the Red Sox on July 23 and is likely to be limited from a pitch-count perspective coming off an illness. He's posted a 4.02 ERA, a 1.24 WHIP and below-average 18.7% strikeout rate over a career-high 71 2/3 innings in 2024.

Boston Red Sox right-hander Cooper Criswell (illness) threw a bullpen session on Tuesday. Criswell will take left-hander James Paxton's (calf) spot in the starting rotation, but manager Alex Cora isn't sure if he will be ready to go by Friday at Camden Yards against the hosting division-rival Baltimore Orioles. Criswell is eligible to return from the seven-day COVID injured list on Friday, but he's had a tough go of it with the illness and may not be ready by then. If the 28-year-old isn't ready by the end of the week, it's likely that Josh Winckowski will step in for a spot start in a tough matchup against the O's. Criswell's last start for the Sox came on July 23. He's pitched to a decent 4.02 ERA (3.77 FIP) and 1.24 WHIP in 18 outings (13 starts) in his first year in Beantown, but his 18.7% strikeout rate leaves plenty to be desired from a fantasy standpoint.

Boston Red Sox pitcher Cooper Criswell is set to move to the bullpen, according to Gabrielle Star of the Boston Herald. Newly acquired James Paxton is slated to take Criswell's spot in the rotation. Criswell logged a dominant outing in his last start on July 23 as he tossed seven shutout frames against the Rockies. The 28-year-old has held a 4.03 ERA and 1.23 WHIP in his first full season as a starting pitcher and has struggled to find consistency at times. Criswell is worth a look in formats that score holds as he could become a high-leverage option out of the bullpen. James Paxton should be added in AL-only leagues for the time being, as he should remain in the rotation going forward.

Boston Red Sox starting pitcher Cooper Criswell rose to the occasion in Tuesday's 6-0 win over the Rockies at Coors Field, improving his record to 4-4. Criswell pitched seven scoreless innings, allowing five hits and a walk with four strikeouts. The 28-year-old has spent time with both the Red Sox and Triple-A Worcester this season and has put up respectable big-league numbers, compiling a 3.60 ERA, a 7.48 K/9 rate, and a 2.22 BB/9 rate in 13 starts and 65 IP with the Red Sox. Should he remain in the rotation, his next start would likely be a favorable matchup against the Mariners. This would make him a decent streaming option in deeper leagues.

The Boston Red Sox recalled right-hander Cooper Criswell from Triple-A Worcester in order for him to make the start in Friday's series opener against the visiting Kansas City Royals. In a corresponding move, the team optioned pitcher Trey Wingenter to the minors. Criswell will return to the big leagues after spending most of the last month on the farm. The 27-year-old has appeared in 12 games (11 starts) for Boston already this year and has gone 3-3 with a 4.15 ERA (3.71 FIP) with a 1.21 WHIP, 49 strikeouts and 13 walks in 52 innings pitched. He was a lot better for Worcester, posting a 1.40 ERA and 1.13 WHIP with 23 K's and eight walks in five starts. It's unclear how long Criswell will remain in Boston's big-league starting rotation heading into the second half of the season, but the matchup against KC on Friday isn't the best for streaming purposes.

Boston Red Sox starting pitcher Cooper Criswell struggled against his former team, the Tampa Bay Rays, on Thursday. Criswell only last 3 2/3 innings and allowed four hits, five runs (three earned), two walks and three strikeouts. It was the worst performance of the season for Criswell, and he still owns a solid 2.76 ERA with the rough performance. With starting pitcher Garrett Whitlock (oblique) due back as early as next week, Criswell is likely to shift to a swingman role moving forward. Despite his good overall numbers, Criswell is unlikely to help much in the fantasy community and can be avoided in most formats.

Boston Red Sox right-hander Cooper Criswell was told to prepare to be a starter in spring training after signing a one-year, $1 million deal for the 2024 season. The 27-year-old has pitched in just 12 major-league games, with 10 of them coming in relief in 2023 for the Tampa Bay Rays. Criswell said the Red Sox told him to be "prepared to be a starter," and he could begin the year in Triple-A Worcester's starting rotation, but he'll also compete for a role out of Boston's bullpen. His sweeper has been his most effective pitch in the big leagues, holding opponents to a .211 average (8-for-38) and .166 expected batting average last year. Criswell also started throwing a cutter for the first time in a game last season. He'll provide the Red Sox with starting-rotation depth but will mostly serve in a long-relief role in 2024.

The Boston Red Sox and pitcher Cooper Criswell agreed to a one-year, major-league deal Tuesday, per Boston Globe's Alex Speier. The 27-year-old will make a guaranteed $1 million. Criswell spent time mostly as a starter with Triple-A Durham and as a reliever with the Rays in 2023, compiling a 3.93 ERA, 1.30 WHIP, and 21.6% strikeout rate in 84 2/3 innings at Triple-A and a 5.73 ERA, 1.55 WHIP, and 17.9% strikeout rate in 33 IP with the Rays. He could serve as a bulk-inning reliever or spot starter for the Red Sox. His role will partly determine his fantasy value, but he will still need to prove himself even if given a sizeable role before fantasy managers can consider turning to him.

The Tampa Bay Rays are expected to choose between top pitching prospect Taj Bradley and right-hander Cooper Criswell for Wednesday's start against the New York Mets to replace Drew Rasmussen (forearm) in the starting rotation. Bradley is more rested, having thrown 67 pitches over 3 1/3 innings for Triple-A Durham last Thursday, while Criswell threw 74 pitches over four innings on Saturday. Bradley, 22, has more upside and looked pretty good in his first three-major league starts for the Rays earlier this year, but he's really struggled to the tune of an 11.25 ERA and 1.81 WHIP in five starts for the Bulls on the farm. Even if Criswell gets the nod, Bradley should eventually join Tampa's rotation this year once he shows better results in the minors.

The Tampa Bay Rays added right-hander Cooper Criswell to their active roster on Monday and also added right-handers Javy Guerra and Kevin Herget to the active roster. In corresponding moves, the Rays optioned right-handers Calvin Faucher and Luis Patino to Triple-A Durham and placed left-hander Brooks Raley on the restricted list. Criswell is scheduled to get the start on Monday against the Toronto Blue Jays, but fantasy managers should be looking to avoid him. The 26-year-old will be making only his second major league start, with the first coming in 2021 with the Los Angeles Angels. He's made eight appearances (only three starts) at Durham in 2022 and has a 3.95 ERA, 0.95 WHIP and 22 strikeouts in 27 1/3 innings.

The Los Angeles Angels have placed right-handed pitcher Cooper Criswell (shoulder) on the 10-day injured list. The 25-year-old has been dealing with right shoulder soreness this spring and he was held out of spring action because of it. No word has been given yet on how long he is expected to be out. The UNC product made his major league debut with the Halos last year. He pitched in just one game, making a start against the San Diego Padres in August. He was shelled for six hits and three earned runs over 1 1/3 innings. Criswell also struggled in the minors last year, going 9-9 with a 4.83 ERA and a 1.24 WHIP across 21 starts at Double-A and Triple-A.

Los Angeles Angels right-hander Cooper Criswell (0-1) wasn't sharp in his major-league debut on Friday, losing to the Padres 5-0. Criswell only managed to pitch 1.1 innings while giving up six hits. He also allowed three runs and recorded no strikeouts or walks. There wasn't much hype surrounding Criswell as a prospect after being drafted in the 13th round in 2018, but he's pitched okay across two minor league seasons. He's posted a 4.24 ERA, a 25.1 K%, and a low 5.5 BB% split between three levels. He can be left on the waiver wire for now until he can show that he belongs in the majors.