Boston Red Sox right-hander Cooper Criswell was told to prepare to be a starter in spring training after signing a one-year, $1 million deal for the 2024 season. The 27-year-old has pitched in just 12 major-league games, with 10 of them coming in relief in 2023 for the Tampa Bay Rays. Criswell said the Red Sox told him to be "prepared to be a starter," and he could begin the year in Triple-A Worcester's starting rotation, but he'll also compete for a role out of Boston's bullpen. His sweeper has been his most effective pitch in the big leagues, holding opponents to a .211 average (8-for-38) and .166 expected batting average last year. Criswell also started throwing a cutter for the first time in a game last season. He'll provide the Red Sox with starting-rotation depth but will mostly serve in a long-relief role in 2024.

The Boston Red Sox and pitcher Cooper Criswell agreed to a one-year, major-league deal Tuesday, per Boston Globe's Alex Speier. The 27-year-old will make a guaranteed $1 million. Criswell spent time mostly as a starter with Triple-A Durham and as a reliever with the Rays in 2023, compiling a 3.93 ERA, 1.30 WHIP, and 21.6% strikeout rate in 84 2/3 innings at Triple-A and a 5.73 ERA, 1.55 WHIP, and 17.9% strikeout rate in 33 IP with the Rays. He could serve as a bulk-inning reliever or spot starter for the Red Sox. His role will partly determine his fantasy value, but he will still need to prove himself even if given a sizeable role before fantasy managers can consider turning to him.

The Tampa Bay Rays are expected to choose between top pitching prospect Taj Bradley and right-hander Cooper Criswell for Wednesday's start against the New York Mets to replace Drew Rasmussen (forearm) in the starting rotation. Bradley is more rested, having thrown 67 pitches over 3 1/3 innings for Triple-A Durham last Thursday, while Criswell threw 74 pitches over four innings on Saturday. Bradley, 22, has more upside and looked pretty good in his first three-major league starts for the Rays earlier this year, but he's really struggled to the tune of an 11.25 ERA and 1.81 WHIP in five starts for the Bulls on the farm. Even if Criswell gets the nod, Bradley should eventually join Tampa's rotation this year once he shows better results in the minors.

The Tampa Bay Rays added right-hander Cooper Criswell to their active roster on Monday and also added right-handers Javy Guerra and Kevin Herget to the active roster. In corresponding moves, the Rays optioned right-handers Calvin Faucher and Luis Patino to Triple-A Durham and placed left-hander Brooks Raley on the restricted list. Criswell is scheduled to get the start on Monday against the Toronto Blue Jays, but fantasy managers should be looking to avoid him. The 26-year-old will be making only his second major league start, with the first coming in 2021 with the Los Angeles Angels. He's made eight appearances (only three starts) at Durham in 2022 and has a 3.95 ERA, 0.95 WHIP and 22 strikeouts in 27 1/3 innings.

The Los Angeles Angels have placed right-handed pitcher Cooper Criswell (shoulder) on the 10-day injured list. The 25-year-old has been dealing with right shoulder soreness this spring and he was held out of spring action because of it. No word has been given yet on how long he is expected to be out. The UNC product made his major league debut with the Halos last year. He pitched in just one game, making a start against the San Diego Padres in August. He was shelled for six hits and three earned runs over 1 1/3 innings. Criswell also struggled in the minors last year, going 9-9 with a 4.83 ERA and a 1.24 WHIP across 21 starts at Double-A and Triple-A.

Los Angeles Angels right-hander Cooper Criswell (0-1) wasn't sharp in his major-league debut on Friday, losing to the Padres 5-0. Criswell only managed to pitch 1.1 innings while giving up six hits. He also allowed three runs and recorded no strikeouts or walks. There wasn't much hype surrounding Criswell as a prospect after being drafted in the 13th round in 2018, but he's pitched okay across two minor league seasons. He's posted a 4.24 ERA, a 25.1 K%, and a low 5.5 BB% split between three levels. He can be left on the waiver wire for now until he can show that he belongs in the majors.