NEW YORK — The Red Sox optioned righty Cooper Criswell to Triple-A Worcester on Saturday and promoted right-hander Robert Stock.
Stock needed to be placed on the 40-man roster. To make room there, Boston transferred righty Josh Winckowski to the 60-day injured list with a right elbow flexor strain.
Winckowski last pitched May 11 for Worcester. He needed to be recalled from Triple A to be placed on the 60-day IL.
“We shut him down a while ago,” manager Alex Cora said.
Criswell (3 innings, one run) and Zack Kelly (2 innings, no runs) saved the bullpen Friday after starting pitcher Walker Buehler lasted only 2 innings against the Yankees.
Criswell also had recorded five outs Wednesday after Lucas Giolito failed to make it out of the second inning against the Angels.
“This is where we’re at,” Cora said. “Coop did a good job for us the last two games. Went out there and competed and gave us a chance to win. But we needed a fresh arm.”
Stock appeared in a game for Boston on April 7, allowing one run in 2 innings after the Red Sox promoted him that day from Worcester. They then designated him for assignment the following day and he was outrighted back to Worcester on April 10.
He posted a 3.09 ERA in 12 games (55 ⅓ innings) for Worcester.
