Cooper Criswell's Stats, Metrics, Game Logs, Projections & Rankings

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.