MLB Player News

Criswell is slated to work in bulk relief behind opening pitcher Brennan Bernardino in Thursday's game against the Guardians, Jen McCaffrey of The Athletic reports.

Criswell joined the Boston rotation last weekend against the Angels as a replacement for Nick Pivetta (elbow) and gave up two earned runs over four innings in his Red Sox debut. The right-hander will remain in the rotation for the foreseeable future, but he'll be deployed in bulk relief with the hope that the arrangement generates more favorable results. Expect Bernardino to work no more than an inning or two before giving way to Criswell.

Robertson gave up a run on two hits and a walk over 1.1 innings Wednesday, getting charged with his second blown save of the season in a 5-4 win over the Tigers. He struck out one.

The veteran right-hander entered the game with one on and one out in the seventh inning to protect a 4-3 lead, and while he escaped that small jam, Robertson couldn't stop Detroit from tying things up in the bottom of the eighth. It's only the second run he's allowed this season, and the 39-year-old has been busy to begin the year, posting a 1.69 ERA, 1.03 WHIP and 10:4 K:BB through 10.2 innings. Despite those strong ratios, he's 0-for-2 in converting save chances while adding a win and six holds in his 10 appearances, while Kirby Yates seems to be strengthening his grip on the closer role for Texas.

Dunning came away with a no-decision in Wednesday's 5-4 win over the Tigers, giving up two runs (one earned) on three hits and four walks over five-plus innings. He struck out five.

The right-hander tossed 97 pitches (56 strikes) before being lifted after a Spencer Torkelson double to lead off the sixth inning, and Dunning missed out on his third win of the year when the Rangers' bullpen squandered a 4-2 lead. The 29-year-old has lasted at least five innings in all four of his starts to begin 2024 while allowing three runs or less in each, leaving him with a 3.91 ERA, 1.22 WHIP and 22:13 K:BB through 23 innings. Dunning lines up to take the mound at home against the Mariners next week.

Yates (2-0) picked up the win in Wednesday's 5-4 victory over the Tigers. He walked one and struck out four over 1.1 scoreless innings.

The Rangers had a 4-1 lead entering the bottom of the sixth inning but allowed Detroit to score single runs in the next three frames to tie the game. Yates entered to get the final out of the eighth inning and was the pitcher of record when Josh Smith doubled in the go-ahead run in the top of the ninth. Yates, who has not allowed a run over 7.1 innings, has become the closer following the removal of Jose Leclerc from that role.

Miller pitched a scoreless ninth inning against the Cardinals to record his fourth save Wednesday, striking out two and walking one while not allowing any hits.

Miller entered the contest with a three-run lead in the top of the ninth and proceeded to walk the leadoff man before getting two of the next three batters to go down on strikes, both swinging. The right-hander needed only nine pitches to retire the final three batters and record his fourth save in as many chances. Miller has not allowed a hit over his last four appearances, posting a 9:1 K:BB over that stretch.

Blackburn (2-0) allowed three runs on six hits and five walks over 5.2 innings in a win over the Cardinals on Wednesday. He struck out seven.

Blackburn struggled with his command out of the gate, surrendering a leadoff single to open the game before walking two batters in the first inning. He then went 1-2-3 through the next two innings, even striking out the side in the second, but was tagged for three runs in the fourth after allowing three consecutive hits to begin the frame. The right-hander had not allowed a run through his first three starts coming into Wednesday's matchup, while it also marked the first time this season in which he failed to make it through at least six innings. Blackburn also recorded a season-high seven strikeouts in the win and currently holds a 1.08 ERA on the season, though he's now issued seven walks over his last two starts.

Ruiz went 1-for-5 with a two-run home run, a stolen base and an additional run in a win over the Cardinals on Wednesday.

Ruiz led off and went deep for the second time in three games, slugging a 412-foot shot to left center with Max Schuemann aboard in the third inning to open the scoring. The hot-hitting outfielder's recent power display is especially noteworthy, considering he belted only five homers across 490 plate appearances in 2023, and because he's been focused on improving his hard contact since spring training.

Clase went 1-for-3 with a walk, a stolen base and a run in a win over the Reds on Wednesday.

The rookie continued to provide a much-needed spark to the underachieving Mariners offense in his third major-league start. Clase helped manufacture Seattle's fourth run of the game with the help of trademark speed he so often flashed during his minor-league career, drawing a seventh-inning walk, swiping second and then coming around to score on a Mitch Haniger single. Clase's strong early returns should further ensure he'll remain in a near everyday role while Dominic Canzone (shoulder) is on the shelf.

Rojas entered Wednesday's win over the Reds as a pinch hitter in the seventh inning and remained in the game at third base, going 1-for-2 with a solo home run.

Rojas immediately delivered upon being inserted into the game to lead off the seventh, slugging a solo blast for his first home run of the season and extending the Mariners' lead to 3-1 at the time. The 29-year-old has now hit safely in five straight games, and with a .343 average and .896 OPS overall this year, he's clearly been one of the most productive hitters in a collection of mostly underachieving Seattle bats.

Raleigh went 1-for-2 with a solo home run and two walks in a win over the Reds on Wednesday.

Several Mariners hitters enjoyed solid offensive performances Wednesday, but Raleigh set the pace with his three trips on the basepaths. That included the backstop's co-team-high third homer of the season, which erased an early 1-0 deficit for Seattle in the second inning. Raleigh has now reached safely in five straight games, and a career-high 13.1 percent walk rate has helped him get to a .311 on-base percentage despite an uninspiring .208 average.