In Fort Myers, Florida, as spring training enters its final stretch, the battle for spots in the Red Sox starting rotation is becoming clearer, with one less contender in the mix.
Alex Cora, the team’s manager, announced on Sunday that Josh Winckowski is no longer competing for a spot in the starting rotation.
Cora shared that the team had a discussion with Winckowski, deciding to move him to the bullpen. He praised Winckowski’s performance, planning to use him for multiple innings, similar to the roles Garrett Whitlock and Kutter Crawford have played. Cora emphasized the goal to leverage Winckowski’s abilities to the fullest by using him in extended relief appearances, though the specific usage would depend on the game’s circumstances.
Winckowski, understandably upset by the decision, was reassured by Cora that his competitive spirit was appreciated. Cora expressed optimism about Winckowski’s future with the team, contingent on his health and performance.
However, Cora left open the possibility of sending Winckowski to Triple A Worcester to start as a pitcher, making him an option for the Red Sox should they need additional starters during the season.
Cora noted that the team is still making decisions regarding Winckowski’s role, mentioning his current conditioning for up to 60 pitches and his schedule for the next outings.
With Winckowski out of the starting rotation race, Tanner Houck, Whitlock, and Cooper Criswell are now vying for the last two spots, following Brayan Bello, Nick Pivetta, and Crawford.
The idea of Winckowski returning to a starting role was first considered last September, after a successful season in the bullpen in 2023 and the development of his pitching skills.
As a starter in 2022, Winckowski had a 5-7 record with a 5.75 ERA in 14 games. In contrast, his performance improved significantly in 2023 as a reliever, where he achieved a 2.88 ERA in 60 appearances.
Ultimately, the decision was influenced by the team’s current needs and strategy for the season. Cora highlighted Winckowski’s potential and diverse pitching skills but indicated that the current plan was the best approach for the upcoming season. Cora remains optimistic about Winckowski’s future, emphasizing his potential to become a starter in the major leagues.