Red Sox Bullpen Arm Expected To Be Moved To Starting Rotation

BOSTON -- The Red Sox yet again have a hole in their starting rotation.

This time it comes due to a calf injury to James Paxton, which Red Sox manager Alex Cora revealed will most likely sideline the left-hander for the rest of the season.

And to plug up that spot on the starting staff, it's looking like Cora will move a bullpen arm into the rotation.

But Cooper Criswell isn't a typical reliever since he already started 13 games for the Red Sox this season. The 6-foot-6 right-hander was moved to the bullpen near the end of July after Boston acquired Paxton in a trade with the Los Angeles Dodgers.

And after showing well out of the bullpen -- Criswell allowed three runs in 6 2/3 innings over four appearances -- and being a solid starter, Cora is inclined to have Criswell rejoin the rotation.

"I believe so. He's been good for us," Cora said prior to Tuesday's matchup with the Texas Rangers at Fenway Park. "Obviously, the schedule is going to be the schedule. We're going to try to go out there with our best all the time. But he's been good for us. We need him."

Criswell posted a 4-4 record this season with a 4.02 ERA and a 1.242 ERA. His last start ended up being a career outing as he tossed seven shutout innings while scattering five hits, walking one and striking out four.

Criswell currently is on the COVID-19-related injured list but is progressing. He threw a bullpen session Tuesday and can officially rejoin the team later in the week.

The Red Sox will get Nick Pivetta back after skipping his last start due to arm fatigue for Thursday's series opener against the Orioles in Baltimore. But Boston has an opening for Friday's tilt, and that could where Criswell fits in.

"All depends how he feels," Cora said. "Like I said (Monday), he was scuffling two days ago. It was bad. But the fact that he's here, he (has) energy, we'll see how he feels and then we'll decide what we're doing."

If Criswell can't go, Cora said the Red Sox will most likely go with a bullpen game.