MLB Player News

Mariners general manager Justin Hollander said July 31 that Criswell (shoulder) has resumed a throwing progression, MLB.com reports.

Hollander didn't go into many specifics regarding where Criswell stood in his throwing progression beyond noting that he was about a week behind fellow reliever Matt Brash (lat), who had yet to resume throwing off a mound as of the July 31 update. With that in mind, Criswell looks like he's still limited to playing catch for the time being, so his return from the injured list wouldn't appear to be imminent. Criswell went on the shelf June 9 after being diagnosed with a right shoulder strain.

The Angels optioned Kerry to Triple-A Salt Lake on Sunday.

The right-hander worked in long relief Saturday in Miami after starter Walbert Urena lasted just 2.1 frames. Kerry allowed three runs on six hits with seven strikeouts and a walk across 5.2 innings. He's filled that role in his first three MLB appearances for the Angels and has pitched well with a 3.95 ERA, 0.95 WHIP and 12:2 K:BB across 13.2 innings. Ryan Watson, who was claimed off waivers from the Red Sox on Friday, will fill Kerry's roster spot.

The Red Sox selected Martinez's contract from Triple-A Worcester on Sunday, Mac Cerullo of the Boston Herald reports.

Boston optioned left-hander Raymond Burgos to Triple-A to clear room for Martinez, who is up with the big club for the first time this season. Over 34 appearances (nine starts) at Worcester, Martinez produced a 5.46 ERA, 1.27 WHIP and 52:20 K:BB in 62.2 innings. He'll be capable of covering multiple innings in Sunday's game against the Athletics as the Red Sox deploy a bullpen day.

The Red Sox optioned Burgos to Triple-A Worcester on Sunday, Mac Cerullo of the Boston Herald reports.

The Red Sox will swap Burgos out for a fresh bullpen arm in Seth Martinez, whose contract was selected from Triple-A in a corresponding move. After getting called up Friday, Burgos made three-inning relief appearances on consecutive days, giving up two earned runs on two hits and no walks while striking out four and earning his first MLB save.

Kerry allowed three runs on six hits and one walk while striking out seven batters over 5.2 relief innings in a no-decision against Miami on Saturday.

Angels starter Walbert Urena last just 2.1 frames, leaving Kerry to inherit a two-on, one-out jam in the third inning. He handled that task well and didn't allow any additional damage in the frame. The right-hander took the reins from there and finished the contest, tossing a starter-like 98 pitches (64 strikes) and generating 14 whiffs and a career-high seven punchouts. Kerry worked mostly as a starter in the minors, so the big workload wasn't new to him, but he's yet to make a start in the majors. He'll presumably be down for several days following his heavy pitch count Saturday, and the imminent return of Yusei Kikuchi (shoulder) may present a risk to Kerry's roster spot.

Miller will draw the start for the Red Sox in a bullpen game against the Athletics on Sunday, Chris Cotillo of MassLive.com reports.

The left-hander will make his first start since 2024, when the Giants used him as an opener 10 times as a rookie that season. Miller was shipped from the Giants to the Red Sox at the trade deadline and has fired 2.1 scoreless frames in the first two appearances for his new team. He'll likely cover the first inning or two before turning the game over to the bullpen, with Brayan Bello being a candidate to work in bulk relief behind Miller.

Holderman (6-3) did not retire a batter and was tagged with Saturday's loss to the White Sox. He allowed three runs on two hits and hit two batters.

Holderman has been a trusted option in the Guardians bullpen and was summoned with one runner on base and two outs in the bottom of the sixth inning after starter Gavin Williams threw 102 pitches (one shy of his season high). Holderman promptly hit the first two batters he faced to load the bases before allowing a two-run double and two-run single. He entered the contest with a 1.14 ERA over his previous 27 appearances (23.2 innings).

Holton tossed two perfect innings of relief to record a hold in Saturday's 8-0 win over the Giants. He struck out two.

Holton continued his strong play out of the Detroit bullpen this season as he recorded his 10th hold of the year and lowered his ERA to 2.83. The lefty isn't a great source of strikeouts, with only 41 of them across 54 innings, and he has a career 7.3 K/9. However, Holton has managed to find success in the majors, particularly against left-handed batters, who are hitting just .178 all time against the 30-year-old.

Baker allowed a hit in a scoreless inning to earn the save in Saturday's 3-2 win over the Mariners. He did not strike out or walk a batter.

Baker was able to earn a save for the second day in a row, and he's now tallied saves in all four of his appearances so far in August. The 31-year-old finished off a bullpen game for the Rays on Saturday and came away with his 34th save in 37 chances this season. He's pitched to a 1.55 ERA, 0.84 WHIP and 51:15 K:BB across 46.1 innings. Baker, Garrett Cleavinger and Kevin Kelly are all likely to be unavailable Sunday after pitching consecutive days, which could leave the door open for Tyler Wells to get a save chance, should one arise.

Taylor allowed a hit in a scoreless inning to earn the save in Saturday's 6-3 win over the Guardians. He did not strike out or walk a batter.

Taylor had earned three holds over his last five appearances but didn't log a save in that span. Save chances have been limited for all of the White Sox's bullpen lately, but Taylor should have a clearer path to ninth-inning duties after Chicago offloaded Seranthony Dominguez to Seattle ahead of the trade deadline. Taylor has a 2.28 ERA, 1.03 WHIP and 78:19 K:BB across 59.1 innings while adding six saves, eight holds and three blown saves this season. The White Sox will likely need to generate more save chances to potentially boost Taylor's status.