MLB Player News

Criswell will be the bulk reliever in Game 2 of Saturday's doubleheader against the Royals, with Shawn Armstrong set to open the game on the mound, Ryan Bass of Bally Sports Sun reports.

All six of Criswell's major-league outings this season have come in a similar role. He's recorded at least seven outs each time but has topped out at 4.2 innings. The 26-year-old righty owns a 5.14 ERA overall but has allowed just two runs in 9.2 innings over his last three appearances.

Armstrong will open the second half of Saturday's doubleheader against the Royals, Ryan Bass of Bally Sports Sun reports.

The Rays may be playing two games in one day, but they only had to use two members of a well-rested bullpen in the afternoon contest, so Armstrong won't face much pressure to eat innings. He did throw three innings as an opener in his final appearance before the break, but he hasn't lasted more than two frames in any of his other 12 outings. Cooper Criswell is expected to follow Armstrong as the bulk reliever.

King was called up by Texas on Saturday.

This will be King's third stint in the majors this season. During his previous time with the team, he struggled to a 5.79 ERA in 18.2 innings while striking out just 12.3 percent of opposing batters. Josh Sborz (biceps) hit the injured list in a corresponding move.

Sborz was placed on the 15-day injured list with right biceps tendinitis Saturday.

The transaction has been backdated to Wednesday, meaning Sborz will be eligible to return in less than two weeks, though that will only be in play if his injury is particularly mild. The injury may explain Sborz's difficult stretch immediately prior to the break, when he allowed nine runs in 3.1 innings. Up to that point, he owned a 2.62 ERA and 0.82 WHIP, so his absence will be a significant one for the Rangers. John King was recalled to take his place in the bullpen.

Kelly was recalled from Triple-A Columbus on Saturday, Mandy Bell of MLB.com reports.

Kelly is up to replace Shane Bieber, who hit the injured list with elbow inflammation, though he won't be taking Bieber's place in the rotation. Kelly has worked exclusively as a reliever for Columbus this season, striking out 36 percent of opposing batters en route to a 2.73 ERA. He spent two single-day stints on the big-league roster earlier in the season but didn't make an appearance on either occasion.

Harris is expected to serve as the Athletics' primary pitcher out of the bullpen Saturday against the Twins with Austin Pruitt drawing the starting assignment.

Pruitt hasn't covered more than three innings in any of his appearances in the majors or minors this season, so Oakland likely won't ask him to work more than once through the batting order before turning the game over to Harris. Though Harris had been one of Oakland's more reliable starters since joining the rotation in late May, he labored in his final three outings before the All-Star break (9.20 ERA, 2.18 WHIP and 14:10 K:BB in 14.2 innings).

Criswell was recalled by the Rays to serve as the 27th man for Saturday's doubleheader against the Royals.

Criswell is expected to either start the nightcap or serve as the bulk reliever. All six of Criswell's big-league appearances this season have come in relief, but all have lasted at least 2.1 innings. He owns a 5.14 ERA and 1.52 WHIP, though those numbers are inflated by a .362 BABIP.

Pruitt will serve as Oakland's opening pitcher in Saturday's game agains the Twins.

Pruitt will most likely cover anywhere from 1-to-3 innings prior to turning the game over to Hogan Harris, who had been in line to start Saturday before the Athletics made the late decision to deploy him behind an opener. Over his previous four assignments as an opener this season, Pruitt has allowed six earned runs on nine hits and no walks while striking out two over 6.2 innings.

Jackson (elbow) is slated to throw a bullpen session Saturday, the team's official site reports.

The right-hander's absence due to a flexor tendon strain is approaching two months, yet Saturday's planned activity is certainly a step in the right direction. Jackson will eventually be ticketed for a lengthy rehab assignment given how long he's been sidelined, but even that step is still likely weeks away.

Staumont (neck) is expected to have thoracic outlet syndrome surgery in the coming days, Anne Rogers of MLB.com reports.

Staumont's upcoming surgery will almost certainly end his season. The right-hander will close 2023 with a mediocre 5.40 ERA, 1.45 WHIP and 24:13 K:BB through 20 innings. The Royals have not indicated if he'll be delayed to start spring training in 2024. Staumont was moved to the 60-day injured list Friday.