MLB Player News

The Rays transferred Armstrong (neck) from the 15-day injured list to the 60-day IL on Monday, Tricia Whitaker of Bally Sports Sun reports.

The move clears a spot on the 40-man roster for Cooper Criswell, whose contract was selected from Triple-A Durham. Armstrong has been dealing with a neck issue since spring training and now isn't eligible to make his 2023 debut with the Rays until at least late May.

Tampa Bay selected Criswell's contract from Triple-A Durham on Monday, Neil Solondz of the Rays Radio Network reports.

Criswell, who made one spot start with the Angels and the Rays over the past two seasons, will make his return to big leagues after starting three games with Triple-A Durham so far this season, surrendering four earned runs while striking out 10 batters over 11.2 innings. With Jalen Beeks slated to serve as the Rays' opening pitcher for Monday's game in Cincinnati, Criswell makes for the most logical candidate to cover the bulk of the innings in long relief, potentially setting him up to claim a win if he enters the game while Tampa Bay is leading. A banged-up Rays rotation could return Zach Eflin (back) from the 15-day injured list as soon as this weekend, so Criswell may be in store for only a brief stay with the big club.

Tampa Bay optioned Kelley to Triple-A Durham on Monday, Tricia Whitaker of Bally Sports Sun reports.

Kelley was recalled over the weekend and allowed two runs over two innings in his lone relief appearance. Cooper Criswell was promoted from Triple-A in a corresponding move and will take Kelley's spot in the bullpen.

Hand allowed one hit and struck out one in a scoreless inning Sunday against the Mariners.

Hand entered the game with runners at first and second in the bottom of the sixth inning and allowed the game-winning hit to the first batter he faced. While he had a poor outcome Sunday, Hand has pitched well to start the season as he has been charged with only one earned run across 5.2 innings while also maintaining 9:4 K:BB. His control leaves room for improvement, but he has still been one of the most reliable high-leverage relievers for Colorado early on.

Hernandez allowed one walk and struck out two over two-thirds of an inning in Sunday's 9-1 win over the Astros.

While the final score indicates a blowout, Hernandez and Will Smith provided expert high-leverage relief work in the seventh inning, as Houston loaded the bases with none out and Texas leading, 6-0. Hernandez struck out Martin Maldonado and Mauricio Dubon before walking in a run. It wasn't officially a hold, but it felt like one. Hernandez has allowed two runs, three hits and three walks while striking out eight over six innings. The right-hander will continue to pitch in late-game scenarios and could get an occasional save chance.

Smith allowed one walk over two-thirds of an inning to earn a hold in Sunday's 9-1 win over Houston.

Smith entered a bases-loaded jam in the bottom of the seventh and got former teammate Yordan Alvarez on a weak grounder to quell the threat. It was the fourth hold of the season for Smith, who finished off a good weekend against the club for whom he pitched in 2022 and received his World Series ring. Smith has allowed one run, two hits and three walks while striking out nine over 6.2 innings.

Ginkel allowed one hit and struck out one over 1.1 innings in Sunday's 5-0 win over Miami.

Ginkel entered the seventh inning with a runner on second and two outs and struck out Avisail Garcia to end the threat. The right-hander appears to have solved the issue with pitch-tipping that flared up against the Dodgers two weeks ago. Since then, Ginkel has allowed one run and four hits while striking out five over five innings.

Jimenez was charged with a blown save in Sunday's loss to the Mets after allowing one run on one hit and three walks over just a third of an inning.

Jimenez was able to get Francsico Lindor to ground out to begin the ninth before Pete Alonso tied things up with a monstrous blast to center field. Jimenez then proceeded to implode, walking three straight batters before being replaced by Sam Moll who wound up bailing him out after getting Eduardo Escobar to ground into a 6-4-3 double play. The 29-year-old has just one save on the year with the A's having lost 10 of their last 11, but still seems to be in the late-inning mix. After Sunday's outing, Jimenez owns a 5.40 ERA, 1.50 WHIP and a 4:6 K:BB over 6.2 innings.

Robertson tossed a scoreless 10th to secure his fourth save of the season Sunday in a 4-3 win over the Athletics.

Robertson was able to escape some trouble in the 10th after he wound up with runners on second and third with one out from a wild pitch. He induced two groundouts to get of the jam and grab his second save in as many days. The 38-year-old has now tossed 8.1 scoreless innings and owns a 9:0 K:BB over eight appearances on the year.

Williams worked around a scoreless ninth inning Sunday to pick up his second save of the season in a 1-0 win over the Padres. He struck out three and walked two while also giving up a hit.

Williams surrendered a leadoff walk to Juan Soto before racking up back-to-back strikeouts but found himself in trouble after a single and another walk loaded up the bases. The 28-year-old was able to get the job done by striking out Trent Grisham on a fastball. Williams has now picked up two saves and two wins in five appearances this season and has yet to give up a run. He needed 33 pitches to close out Sunday's game and will likely be unavailable Monday as the Brewers open up a three-game set with the Mariners.