MLB Player News

Criswell has made two starts for Triple-A Durham since being optioned to the affiliate July 16, allowing two unearned runs on seven hits and three walks while striking out six over nine innings.

Despite the pair of strong outings, Criswell is still holding down a 4.63 ERA and 1.46 WHIP while striking out 51 over 56.1 innings at Triple-A this season. Though his numbers don't jump off the page, Criswell may still find himself as the next man up to join the big club if the Rays require a starter or bulk reliever at any point in August. The Rays optioned the struggling Taj Bradley to Triple-A on Monday and appear set to give Zack Littell a look as their new No. 5 starter, though Littell likely won't have a long leash.

Littell is listed as the Rays' starting pitcher for Friday's game against the Tigers at Comerica Park.

Littell has already made four starts this season, but on each of the first three occasions, he covered no more than 3.1 innings while operating as more of an opening pitcher. In his most recent start Sunday in Houston, however, Littell covered a season-high five innings, striking out four while allowing two runs on eight hits. Based on the workload he handled, Littell looks like he could be getting stretched out for a more traditional starting role, especially now that Tampa Bay has a spot in the rotation open after Taj Bradley was optioned to Triple-a Durham on Monday. Erasmo Ramirez worked three innings behind Littell on Sunday, so it's possible the two pitchers work in tandem again Thursday if Ramirez isn't needed out of the bullpen Tuesday or Wednesday.

Kittredge (elbow) has thrown 8.2 innings on his rehab assignment and is hoping to return in mid-to-late August, MLB.com reports.

Kittredge has been with Triple-A Durham for each of his last six appearances. He allowed six earned runs across just one-third of an inning in an outing July 23 but has otherwise been effective. Even so, the Rays will continue to take a patient approach as Kittredge returns from Tommy John surgery.

Pressly earned a save against the Guardians on Monday, striking out one batter in a perfect inning of work.

Entering the ninth frame, it looked like Pressly's services might not be needed, as Houston held a comfortable 7-2 lead. However, Ryne Stanek allowed Cleveland to load the bases without recording an out, resulting in Pressly's entrance. The veteran closer quelled the threat, allowing an inherited runner to score on a sacrifice fly but otherwise shutting the Guardians down. Though Pressly's 3.17 ERA and 9.5 K/9 are slightly less impressive than what he's registered over the past several seasons, he continues to be among the game's best closers, recording 25 saves in 29 chances on the campaign. He's also benefiting from playing for a playoff contender, as the save was his ninth of the month of July.

Lopez earned a save over Atlanta on Monday, walking two batters and striking out three over 1.2 scoreless innings.

Lopez was acquired in a trade with the White Sox last week and tossed 1.1 scoreless frames in his Angels debut Saturday. The right-hander was summoned with one out in the eighth inning Monday and got the remaining five outs for Los Angeles to pick up his fifth save of the campaign and his first since May 5, when he was still with Chicago. Lopez's opportunity to close Monday was a consequence of Carlos Estevez tossing 34 pitches the day before. Estevez is likely to get the majority of the save chances for the Angels moving forward, so fantasy managers hunting saves need not rush to the waiver wire to grab Lopez.

Pivetta dropped to 7-6 on the season after allowing three runs on five hits and striking out 10 without walking a batter over 7.1 innings in Monday's 6-2 loss to the Mariners.

Pivetta had spent much of the last month-plus in a bulk-relief role, but he looked pretty good as a starter Monday. Two of the five hits he allowed were home runs to Cal Raleigh, and Pivetta was also on the hook for the first run of the Mariners' eighth-inning rally. He allowed just seven runs (six earned) over 28.1 innings across six appearances in July. For the season, Pivetta has a 4.08 ERA, 1.13 WHIP and 110:34 K:BB through 88.1 innings over 26 appearances (nine starts). It's unclear if he's free from working behind an opener, but his next outing should be at home versus the Blue Jays this weekend.

Silseth (3-1) earned the win over Atlanta on Monday, pitching five innings and allowing one run on three hits while striking out four batters. He didn't issue any walks.

Silseth got a turn in the rotation due to Griffin Canning (general soreness) being a late scratch, and the former delivered a strong five frames during which he yielded just one run on a solo shot by Matt Olson. Prior to Monday, Silseth hadn't seen any game action since he held the Yankees to one run and notched a career-high 10 strikeouts over 5.2 innings in a start July 19. Despite the consecutive excellent outings, Silseth will likely return to the bullpen moving forward, as Canning expects to take his next turn in the rotation and the Angels recently added another starter in Lucas Giolito.

The Diamondbacks traded Patrick to the Athletics on Monday in exchange for Jace Peterson and cash considerations.

Patrick has spent all season in Double-A and holds a 4.71 ERA and 1.39 WHIP through 91.2 innings across 19 starts. The 24-year-old righty can strike out batters at a decent rate, but his struggles with command have impacted his ability to limit baserunners. Patrick still has a lot of work to do before he'll be able to contribute at the major-league level.

Bautista walked two batters over 1.2 scoreless innings Monday, striking out three and earning a save over the Blue Jays.

Bautista tossed a season-high 35 pitches while picking up his 29th save. He was unbelievable in July, firing 14 shutout frames with a 25:4 K:BB while allowing just three hits. His season ERA is down to 0.87 with a 101:21 K:BB across 51.2 innings. Bautista hasn't given up an earned run since his last blown save June 24.

The Mariners recalled Then from Triple-A Tacoma on Monday.

Then has had a rough season in the minors, accumulating a 13.19 ERA and 2.91 WHIP across 14.1 innings. Fortunately, he's been much more effective in the bigs, but he figures to primarily see action during low-leverage situations while in Seattle.