MLB Player News

Criswell (shoulder) struck out one in a scoreless inning Monday during his rehab assignment with the Angels' rookie-level Arizona Complex League affiliate.

Criswell has resided on the Angels' 60-day injured list all season after he was diagnosed with shoulder inflammation during spring training. After resuming a throwing program and ramping up in recent weeks, Criswell has reached the final stage of his recovery from the injury. He'll likely make several more minor-league rehab appearances before the Angels activate him.

The Guardians optioned Sandlin to Triple-A Columbus on Monday.

Cleveland's pitching staff now sits at 12 men -- one below the maximum amount imposed by MLB -- but Sandlin was sent to the minors to clear a spot on the 26-man active roster for right-hander Aaron Civale (thigh), who is on track to come off the 15-day injured list to start Tuesday's game in Minnesota. Sandlin had appeared in 19 games out of the Cleveland bullpen this season, compiling a 2.89 ERA, 1.61 WHIP and 18:13 K:BB across 18.2 innings.

Graveman allowed a hit and struck out one in a scoreless eighth inning to earn his 13th hold of the season Monday against the Blue Jays.

Manager Tony La Russa indicated that Graveman would be the preferred closer while Liam Hendriks (forearm) was sidelined. However, Graveman instead entered the game in the eighth inning to face the middle of the Toronto lineup. He allowed only a single and has surrendered only one earned run across seven June appearances. Joe Kelly earned the save Monday, though it's possible that Graveman will still see save opportunities in the immediate future.

Kelly allowed two earned runs on two hits while striking out one to earn the save against the Blue Jays on Monday.

Kelly surprisingly entered the game in the ninth inning, following Kendall Graveman -- the presumed closer in the absence of Liam Hendriks (forearm). Though Kelly managed to tally his first save of the season and sixth of his career, he made things interesting by allowing a single and a home run with one out. It is worth noting that Graveman was used to face the middle of Toronto's dangerous order, so it would be premature to now say Kelly is definitely the fill-in closer.

Feyereisen (shoulder) is feeling better but is still only receiving treatment, Adam Berry of MLB.com reports.

Feyereisen has been sidelined since June 3 with a bone bruise in his shoulder. Manager Kevin Cash noted Monday that the issue is still causing enough soreness that Feyereisen has yet to begin throwing in any capacity. A return early in July remains possible, though Feyereisen will likely have to begin ramping up in short order to make a return prior to the All-Star break.

Adam (0-2) allowed two earned runs on two hits to take the loss Monday against the Yankees.

Adam entered the game with the score knotted at two in the ninth inning. He got the first out, but then allowed a single, a triple and a sacrifice fly to account for the runs and take the loss. His usage Monday fell in line with that of a traditional closer, but he entered in the fourth inning Sunday. That suggests Adam is being used as the primary high-leverage reliever out of the Tampa Bay bullpen. He has been excellent regardless of usage this season, maintaining a 1.30 ERA and 0.69 WHIP across 27.2 innings.

Taylor (back) will throw a bullpen session this week before heading out on a rehab assignment, Chris Cotillo of MassLive.com reports.

Taylor tossed a pair of live batting practice sessions last week (Wednesday and Saturday) and is getting close to game action. A bullpen staple in 2021, the left-hander could be ready to pitch by by the end of the week, though his COVID-19 vaccination status is unknown. Any unvaccinated plater would likely not be activated before an upcoming trip to Canada for a three-game set against the Blue Jays that begins next Monday.

Loaisiga (shoulder) is hoping to throw a bullpen session either Thursday or Friday of this week, Marly Rivera of ESPN.com reports.

Loaisiga did some throwing work earlier in the day Monday, as he managed to play catch off flat ground from 110 feet. A bullpen session would be a key next step for the right-hander, as he hasn't thrown off a mound since going down with right shoulder inflammation in late May.

Winckowski (2-1) picked up the win after allowing two runs on seven hits and one walk while striking out two over 6.2 innings Monday against the Tigers. The Red Sox announced after the game that he'll get another turn in the rotation and is expected to make his next start in Cleveland, Chris Cotillo of The Springfield Republican reports.

Winckowski dealt with plenty of traffic on the bases, but he hung in there and managed to give the Red Sox his deepest start of the season, ultimately departing the contest with a 5-2 lead. The right-hander has now surrendered just two runs over his last two starts (11.2 innings), and he's shown that he's deserving of at least one more turn through the rotation, especially while Nathan Eovaldi (back) and Garrett Whitlock (hip) continue their respective rehab assignments.

Rosenberg was optioned to Triple-A Salt Lake on Monday.

Rosenberg was called up for a spot start Sunday against Seattle and wound up throwing 4.2 scoreless innings, though his 1:3 K:BB was hardly impressive. He'll return to the minors as the Angels call up Janson Junk for added relief depth.