By adding one starting pitcher to their organization Thursday, the Red Sox also lost another — at least temporarily.
To make room on their 40-man roster for new acquisitions Johan Oviedo and Tyler Samaniego from the Pittsburgh Pirates, the Red Sox designated Cooper Criswell for assignment.
Earlier this offseason, prior to the non-tender deadline, the Red Sox had signed Criswell to a unique guaranteed one-year $800,000 contract — a slight reduction in salary from the $1 million he earned in 2025.
After being DFA’d, Criswell, 29, will be exposed to waivers over the next few days. But because the deal is guaranteed, he’s far more likely to clear and elect an outright assignment because his salary is already set.
Additionally, the timing of the move could help the Red Sox control Criswell, whom they signed as a free agent two seasons ago. The Rule 5 draft takes place next Wednesday at the end of the Winter Meetings and most teams are intent on keeping an open 40-man spot — or two — to enable them to make a selection in the upcoming draft.
In two seasons with the Red Sox, Criswell is 7-5 with a 4.00 ERA in 33 appearances, including 19 starts. He’s served a variety of roles with the Sox, from starter to long relief.
In 2025, he spent much of the season at Triple A Worcester, appearing in just seven games with the parent club. But his one start all season was a thing of beauty as he limited the Houston Astros to a single run over seven innings while earning a no-decision in a 10-inning Red Sox victory.
In his first season with the Sox, Criswell was 6-5 with a 4.08 ERA in 26 appearances, 18 of them starts.
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