MLB Player News

Criswell (illness) might not be ready for activation Friday, when he's first eligible to return from his seven-day stay on the COVID-19 injured list, Gabrielle Starr of the Boston Herald reports.

Criswell has dealt with some significant symptoms while on the COVID-19 IL, and while the Red Sox are hopeful that he can start Friday in Baltimore in place of James Paxton (calf), he sounds like he might need a bit more time to recover. Josh Winckowski would be a candidate to take the ball for Boston on Friday if Criswell isn't ready.

The Red Sox activated Bello (personal) from the paternity list Monday, Jen McCaffrey of The Athletic reports.

Bello was away from the club over the weekend while welcoming a new child to the family, but he is back with the Red Sox to start Monday's game against the Rangers. The right-hander sports a nifty 45:12 K:BB over 40.1 innings since the start of July, although he's submitted a 4.46 ERA during that stretch.

The Red Sox placed Paxton on the 15-day injured list Monday with a right calf strain, Jen McCaffrey of The Athletic reports.

Paxton suffered the injury during Sunday's 10-2 loss to the Astros and required assistance off the field. The southpaw was scheduled to undergo an MRI on Monday, but the severity of the calf strain has not yet been revealed. The Red Sox are likely to turn to either Josh Winckowski or Cooper Criswell (COVID-19 injured list) to serve as their new fifth starter in place of Paxton, who is first eligible to return from the IL on Aug. 27.

Heaney (4-12) took the loss Sunday against the Yankees after he gave up four runs (three earned) on five hits and two walks over 4.2 innings. He struck out four.

The left-hander labored throughout the contest and had given up two runs through his first four frames, but he departed with runners on the corners with two outs in the fifth inning and had those baserunners added to his tally when Giancarlo Stanton clubbed a three-run homer off Jose Leclerc. It's the second time in Heaney's past three starts that he's failed to complete five innings, and he's surrendered 10 runs (nine earned) between those two short outings. He has a 4.05 ERA, 1.23 WHIP and 115:34 K:BB across 120 innings this season and tentatively lines up for a matchup with Minnesota this weekend.

Eovaldi was diagnosed with a low-grade right oblique strain Monday and is expected to have his next start pushed back to the Rangers' four-game series with the Twins this weekend, Jim Bowden of The Athletic reports.

After being pulled from his latest start this past Saturday against the Yankees with what the Rangers described as right side tightness, Eovaldi was sent back to Texas to meet with Dr. Keith Meister. Eovaldi received encouraging results from his MRI, and the Rangers are apparently optimistic that he will avoid a trip to the injured list and be able to pitch through the oblique strain. While the right-hander doesn't sound like he'll be an option to take the hill for Thursday's series opener versus Minnesota on his usual four days' rest, he could be plugged back into the rotation at some point Friday through Sunday. The Rangers will likely wait for Eovaldi to complete a bullpen session later this week before locking him in for his next start.

Stroman (8-6) earned the win over Texas on Sunday, allowing one run on four hits and three walks while striking out one batter over five innings.

Stroman's one punchout wasn't ideal from a fantasy perspective, but it didn't impact his ability to notch his first victory since June 22. The veteran righty had posted a 7.56 ERA and 1.92 WHIP during the six-game winless stretch, so he'll perhaps look to Sunday's performance as a potential turnaround point. Stroman's next outing is tentatively lined up to take place in Detroit this weekend.

Pepiot (knee) struck out seven batters over 3.1 scoreless innings while scattering one hit and two walks in his rehab start Saturday with Double-A Montgomery.

Pepiot tossed 69 pitches in the rehab outing, which should be the only minor-league start he needs before making his return from the 15-day injured list. The Rays have seemingly already reopened a spot in the rotation for Pepiot, as the club optioned Tyler Alexander -- who had been functioning as the de facto No. 5 starter -- to Triple-A Durham on Sunday. Pepiot rejoined the Rays on Sunday and played catch at Tropicana Field, and he'll likely throw a bullpen session Tuesday or Wednesday before Tampa Bay locks him in for a start this weekend versus the Diamondbacks.

The Twins are expected to call up Matthews from Triple-A St. Paul this week, Jeff Passan of ESPN.com reports.

Minnesota has an opening in its rotation Tuesday against the Royals, and Matthews looks poised to fill that spot for what will be his MLB debut. The right-hander boasts a 2.60 ERA and 114:7 K:BB over 97 innings covering three stops in the minors in 2024. With Joe Ryan (shoulder) and Chris Paddack (forearm) both expected to miss several more weeks of action, Matthews will have an opportunity to pitch his way into additional starts with the big club.

Castillo (10-11) got the win over the Mets on Sunday, allowing one run on four hits and two walks while striking out nine over six innings.

Castillo was engaged in a pitcher's duel with Luis Severino heading into the fifth inning before the Mariners were able to provide him with some cushion on the scoreboard. The lone run against him came on a sixth-inning solo home run by Jeff McNeil. Castillo racked up nine strikeouts for a second straight start and went on a run in the game during which he struck out five consecutive batters. He's now recorded seven straight quality starts while allowing one or fewer runs four times. Castillo owns a 3.40 ERA, 1.16 WHIP and 148:40 K:BB in 148.1 innings and will look to keep rolling in a matchup with the Pirates over the weekend his next time on the mound.

Suarez didn't factor into the decision Sunday against Tampa Bay, allowing four hits and one walk with five strikeouts across 6.2 scoreless innings.

Suarez has been outstanding since taking Grayson Rodriguez's (lat) spot in the rotation, delivering back-to-back scoreless starts with an 11:3 K:BB during that span. With Rodriguez not expected to return until September, Suarez looks to be locked in for several starts. However, fantasy managers should proceed with caution considering the 34-year-old gave up three or more runs in five of eight starts prior to the scoreless outings and has a 72:33 K:BB on the year. Suarez is tentatively scheduled to face the Red Sox next.