Cooper

Criswell

Criswell has been a workhorse for the Mariners this season, matching a career high with 26 appearances so far. He’s posted a solid 3.52 ERA, 1.17 WHIP and 23/8 K/BB ratio across 30 2/3 innings during that span. Shoulder injuries tend to lead to lengthy absences so there’s a strong possibility he’ll be out through next month’s All-Star break.

Criswell entered in the seventh with a no-hitter intact, but let’s face it, if the Mariners really wanted a no-hitter tonight, they would have gone to someone else. Instead, Criswell did exactly what the team was hoping for after coming into a 6-0 game, saving the rest of the pen by finishing the game with zero stress. He could be interesting in deep leagues in arguably the game’s best situation for pitchers; this probably won’t be his last three-inning save, and he’s going to vulture some wins as well.

Miller was told “not to push through if he felt anything at all,” so it’s unclear how much discomfort he felt, but the fact that he felt any is not a great sign. He is still cleared to play catch, so it’s nice that he isn’t fully shut down from throwing, but it’s just hard to trust him in fantasy drafts right now. Miller will almost assuredly miss the start of the season, which opens up a spot in the rotation for Cooper Criswell or Emerson Hancock.

Criswell certainly isn’t a big upside guy, but in such a great situation in Seattle, he could be interested if he’s needed in the rotation for any length of time. He’ll likely work in middle relief until an injury strikes.

Criswell was designated for assignment by the Mets on Wednesday. The 29-year-old is capable of working multiple innings, and he’ll compete for one of the final bullpen spots for Seattle this spring.

The Mets claimed Criswell from Boston last month to add to their rotation depth, but they obviously feel a little more comfortable about things now. Mostly a non-factor in 2025 while pitching in Triple-A and missing some time with injury, the 29-year-old nevertheless had a 4.00 ERA in 117 innings for the Red Sox over the last two years.

Boston attempted to slide Criswell through waivers after acquiring Johan Oviedo from the Pirates earlier this week, but their attempt proved to be unsuccessful. The versatile 29-year-old has made 33 appearances (19 starts) for the Red Sox over the past two seasons, posting a 4.00 ERA across 117 innings. Expect him to function in a similar swingman role for the Mets.

Criswell loses his spot on Boston’s 40-man roster with the club acquiring pitchers Johan Oviedo and Tyler Samaniego from the Pirates. The 29-year-old righty has posted a respectable 4.00 ERA across 117 innings over 33 appearances (19 starts) for the Red Sox over the past two seasons. He figures to attract some interest on waivers as a serviceable emergency innings-eater in a swingman-type role.

Criswell, 29, had a 4.08 ERA in 18 starts and eight relief appearances for Boston in 2024, but he spent most of 2025 in Triple-A and also missed some time. The thinking was that he might be bumped from the 40-man this winter, and that’s still a possibility, as the fully guaranteed contract would make it more likely that he’d clear waivers.

Criswell has been jettisoned back to the minors with trade acquisition Dustin May officially joining Boston’s active roster after hurling seven shutout innings on Friday in a spot start against the Astros. The 29-year-old swingman figures to return at some point later this month to bolster the Red Sox’ long relief depth.