MLB Player News

The Red Sox optioned Criswell to Triple-A Worcester on Saturday, Jen McCaffrey of The Athletic reports.

After joining the rotation in mid-August as a replacement for James Paxton (calf) and covering at least three innings in each of his six ensuing outings, Criswell had worked out of the bullpen for his last two appearances, giving up a total of three runs (two earned) over two innings. With Richard Fitts overtaking him as the Red Sox's No. 5 starter and with Luis Garcia (elbow) returning from the injured list, Criswell will end up as an odd man out on the 28-man active roster. The 28-year-old righty owns a 4.08 ERA and 1.35 WHIP across 99.1 innings with the Red Sox on the season.

Castillo appears to be making good progress in his recovery from a hamstring strain, and the Mariners remain cautiously optimistic that he'll be activated from the 15-day injured list when first eligible Monday, MLB.com reports. "Progressing as he should be," manager Dan Wilson said. "I don't think there's any expected date, right now, of his return, but progressing as he has. I know Luis is very diligent about getting his work in and trying to get healthy, and I think as far as we know right now, he's doing well."

The veteran right-hander has been sidelined since Sept. 8, when he suffered the strain while ducking out of the way of a throw on a stolen-base attempt. Castillo's ability to make at least one more start down the stretch could be critical for the Mariners, who remain in contention for an American League wild-card spot entering the season's final week. Castillo has once again proven a consistent workhorse of Seattle's rotation this season, going 11-12 with a 3.64 ERA and 1.17 WHIP across 175.1 innings over 30 starts.

Hancock is slated to start Saturday's game against the Rangers at Globe Life Field.

He'll pick up a second turn through the rotation in place of Luis Castillo (hamstring), who was placed on the injured list Sept. 10. Hancock has made 10 starts for Seattle this season, pitching to a 3-4 record, 4.83 ERA, 1.33 WHIP and 33:15 K:BB over 50.1 innings.

Lively (13-9) picked up the win Friday, allowing one run on three hits and a walk over five innings in a 5-1 victory over the Cardinals. He struck out two.

The right-hander looked like he was running out of gas in late August as he set a new career high in innings pitched, but Lively has found a second wind. Over his last three starts, he's given up just one run in 12 innings, and he's won back-to-back outings. On the season, Lively's posted a 3.80 ERA, 1.22 WHIP and 114:45 K:BB through 147 innings. With the Guardians on the cusp of clinching the AL Central title, the team could shuffle its rotation ahead of the playoffs, but Lively currently lines up to make his final start of the regular season at home next weekend against the Astros.

Verlander came away with a no-decision in Friday's 9-7 win over the Angels, surrendering six runs on eight hits and a walk over 4.2 innings. He struck out four.

The 41-year-old righty was staked to a 6-1 lead after three innings, but Verlander couldn't stick around long enough to qualify for the win, as he got the hook after 86 pitches (60 strikes). Verlander hasn't lasted more than five innings in any of his six starts since coming off the IL in late August, and his 8.89 ERA, 1.79 WHIP and 18:10 K:BB through 27.1 innings over that stretch makes it uncertain if he even has enough left in the tank to be part of Houston's postseason rotation. Verlander is scheduled to make one more regular-season start, on the road next weekend in Cleveland.

Festa yielded a run on four hits and three walks over five innings in a no-decision Friday. He struck out six during the extra-innings win over Boston.

Festa worked through three scoreless frames before the Red Sox scratched across a run in the fourth inning. He's thrown five or fewer innings in each of his four starts this month, posting a 4.58 ERA over 17.2 frames. He's gone 0-4 with a 4.29 ERA over eight appearances since his first career MLB win Aug. 5. Festa is tentatively lined up to take on the Marlins at home next week.

Anderson (10-14) took the loss Friday, coughing up six runs (three earned) on eight hits over 2.2 innings as the Angels were downed 9-7 by the Astros. He struck out four.

The southpaw's own error helped cushion the blow to his ERA, but Anderson got hit hard before getting the hook after 75 pitches (50 strikes), with both Alex Bregman and Jake Meyers taking him deep in the third inning. Anderson hasn't lasted more than five innings in any of his last five outings, stumbling to a 5.82 ERA, 1.75 WHIP and 21:12 K:BB through 21.2 innings over that stretch. He lines up to make his final start of 2024 on the road next week against the White Sox.

Montero allowed five runs on seven hits and a walk across 4.2 innings of work in Friday's 7-1 loss to the Orioles. He struck out seven.

Montero followed opener Tyler Holton, who allowed two runs of his own, so the former wasn't charged with the loss. However, Montero still struggled as he gave up four home runs and saw his ERA climb from 4.60 to 4.86. The silver lining was the seven strikeouts, which were one away from matching a season high. Montero was previously penciled in to start Sunday's contest against Baltimore, but the team will likely go in a different direction after the righty tossed 82 pitches on Friday. Montero would then likely start or serve as a bulk pitcher sometime next week.

Montero allowed five runs on seven hits and a walk over 4.2 innings during a no-decision Friday. He struck out seven during the loss to Baltimore.

The only reason Montero didn't take the loss is because Tyler Holton opened the game and coughed up two runs in the first inning. Montero gave up a combined four home runs against Colton Cowser and James McCann during his outing. Montero had delivered 14 scoreless frames over his previous two outings before Friday's hiccup. The right-handed rookie owns a 4.86 ERA with a 73:28 K:BB through 92.2 innings. Montero is lined up to end his 2024 season with a home start against the White Sox.

Berrios (16-10) took the loss Friday against Tampa Bay, allowing one run on six hits and a walk over six innings. He struck out six.

Berrios was excellent Friday, blanking the Rays through five innings before ultimately surrendering a lone run on a Jonathan Aranda solo shot in the sixth. However, that one swing proved enough to stick Berrios with the loss in an eventual 1-0 defeat. The loss snaps a seven-game winning streak for the right-hander, though he's now held opponents to two runs or fewer in each of his last eight outings, posting a 1.51 ERA in that span. Berrios will carry a 3.38 ERA, 1.12 WHIP and 149:51 K:BB into his final start of the year, likely to come at home next week against the Red Sox.