New Red Sox pitcher to prepare as a starter heading into spring training
The Red Sox have issued two major league contracts this offseason. One to right-hander Lucas Giolito and the other to swingman Cooper Criswell.
Boston signed Criswell to a one-year deal worth $1 million back in December. The righty has only tossed 12 big-league games in his career, two of them were starts.
“They want me to come to spring training prepared to be a starter,” Criswell told reporters at Winter Weekend, including MassLive’s Christopher Smith. “Just because it’s easier if they want to move me into a bulk role out of the bullpen or even a reliever. Obviously it’s easier to transition from a starter to a reliever rather than a reliever to a starter. So I’m going to be geared up, ready for spring training to go as a starter.”
Criswell pitched in 10 games for the Rays last season, all in a relief role. The righty posted a 5.73 ERA over 33 innings (21 earned runs). Last season while pitching for Triple-A Durham, he posted a 3.93 ERA over 84 2/3 innings pitched in 23 games (17 starts).
The likelihood that Criswell cracks the Sox’ rotation is low, unless pitchers go down with injuries during spring training. Criswell owns one option, if he doesn’t make the big league roster out of spring training, he’ll provide depth at Triple-A Worcester. The Red Sox are reportedly looking at him to serve as a multi-innings reliever with the ability to spot start.
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