MLB Player News

Criswell (5-4) picked up the win Friday's 12-10 victory over the Orioles, allowing six runs on nine hits and four walks over 3.1 innings. He struck out one.

The Boston right-hander returned from the COVID-19 injured list and operated as a bulk reliever behind opener Brennan Bernardino. Criswell was roughed up by a stellar Orioles lineup and needed 79 pitches to record his 10 outs. Criswell can thank his offense for their generous run support, as he notched his sixth career win despite allowing a season-high 13 baserunners. With this six-run performance, his ERA rose more than half a run from 4.02 to 4.56. Criswell should make his next appearance against the Astros on the road next week, either as a bulk reliever or starter.

Burnes (12-5) took the loss Friday against Boston, allowing eight runs on 10 hits and three walks over four innings. He struck out seven.

The right-hander turned in his worst start of the season, allowing more than four earned runs for the first time as an Oriole. Burnes has struggled since the All-Star break, pitching to an atypical 5.40 ERA, 1.31 WHIP and 34:13 K:BB across 35 innings. Overall, the former NL Cy Young Award winner sports a 3.10 ERA, 1.11 WHIP and 144:38 K:BB in 153.2 total innings. He'll look to bounce back in his next scheduled start at Houston next week.

Lorenzen (6-6) earned the win Friday over the Reds, allowing one run on two hits and three walks over 5.2 innings. He struck out three.

Lorenzen was sharp Friday, blanking Cincinnati through five innings before Tyler Stephenson drove in a run with a two-out double in the sixth. It's the first win for Lorenzen since joining the Royals at the trade deadline, though he's pitched well in Kansas City, posting a 2.87 ERA through three starts and 15.2 innings. Overall, the 32-year-old is 6-6 with a 3.68 ERA, 1.28 WHIP and 86:55 K:BB through 117.1 innings between the Royals and Rangers this season. He's currently lined up to face the Angels at home in his next outing.

Cole (4-2) earned the win Friday over Detroit, allowing four hits and two walks over six scoreless innings. He struck out eight.

Cole looks to be rounding into form -- the right-hander's allowed just three runs in his last three starts (17 innings) while racking up 22 strikeouts in that span. He lowered his ERA to 4.15 through 52 innings this season with a 1.37 WHIP and 60:16 K:BB. He'll look to keep rolling in his next start, currently scheduled for next week at home against the Guardians.

Pepiot did not factor into the decision in Friday's 5-4 win against Arizona, allowing two unearned runs on five hits and one walk over 5.1 innings. He struck out five.

Making his return from a knee infection, the Tampa Bay righty generated 11 whiffs out of his 80 total pitches in his first start since July 14. After a shaky opening frame in which two unearned runs scored courtesy a Junior Caminero throwing error, Pepiot settled in, allowing just two singles across his remaining 4.1 innings. He sports a 3.69 ERA, 1.08 WHIP and 99:32 K:BB across 92.2 innings this season. The 26-year-old lines up for a road start in Oakland next week.

Rodriguez allowed four runs on four hits and two walks over five innings in a no-decision Friday against the Cubs. He struck out five.

All four runs charged to Rodriguez came via the long ball. He allowed a two-run shot to Cody Bellinger in the opening inning before Pete Crow-Armstrong and Miguel Amaya added solo homers in the fifth. The Blue Jays would come back in the ninth to tie the game, sparing Rodriguez a loss, but he still hasn't recorded a win since July 6. However, the right-hander had been pitching well coming into Friday's outing, allowing just one run in his previous two starts (10.1 innings). Overall, Rodriguez is 1-5 on the year with a 3.93 ERA, 1.29 WHIP and 57:27 K:BB across 55 innings. He's currently slated for a home matchup with the Reds in his next start.

Scherzer (shoulder) threw 25 pitches in his bullpen session Friday, Jeff Wilson of RangersToday.com reports.

Scherzer noted afterwards that he's aiming to throw 40 pitches in his next session Sunday. The 40-year-old was placed on the 15-day injured list Aug. 2 due to right arm fatigue, and he received a nerve injection in his throwing shoulder two weeks later. Scherzer's timeline to return to the Rangers' rotation should become clearer following Sunday's throwing session.

The Red Sox activated Criswell from the COVID-19 injured list Friday, Gabrielle Starr of the Boston Herald reports.

Criswell was unavailable for the past week due to the virus but is expected to serve as a bulk reliever in Friday's game against the Orioles, following opener Brennan Bernardino. James Paxton's likely season-ending calf injury opens up the fifth spot in the Red Sox' rotation and Criswell is the current favorite to fill it, although Rich Hill could eventually be in the mix after he was inked to a minor-league deal Friday.

Orioles manager Brandon Hyde said Friday that Suarez is likely to start Sunday's game against the Red Sox, Jacob Calvin Meyer of The Baltimore Sun reports.

Suarez was initially on track to take the hill Saturday, but the Orioles will bring up Cade Povich from Triple-A Norfolk to make a spot start that day, giving Suarez and the rest of the members of the Orioles rotation some extra rest. Hyde said that he does not plan at this time to move to a six-man rotation, so Povich may be sent back to Triple-A or shift to the bullpen after Saturday's outing. Suarez could eventually shift to the bullpen as well, but a move to a relief role doesn't seem to be imminent.

The Rays activated Pepiot (knee) from the 15-day injured list Friday, Ryan Bass of Bally Sports Sun reports.

Pepiot will start Friday's game against the Diamondbacks after being on the sidelines for the past month due to an infection in his right knee. The right-hander made one rehab start with Double-A Montgomery, throwing 69 pitches while striking out seven over 3.1 scoreless innings. Pepiot figures to be limited to around 80 pitches in Friday's outing.