Red Sox make a surprising roster move optioning reliever to Triple-A Worcester
The Red Sox made a surprising roster move, optioning Josh Winckowski to Triple-A Worcester following the team’s 4-2 win over the Nationals on Saturday. The news the club was optioning the right-hander was first reported by MassLive’s Sean McAdam.
The move to option Winckowski to the WooSox makes room for Brayan Bello, who will come off the injured list and start for the Red Sox in the series finale against Washington on Sunday.
Winckowski has split time between the bullpen and the starting rotation this season. He appeared in 12 games, posting a 1-1 record with a 3.33 ERA. In nine relief appearances, he held a 4.61 ERA, and a 1.69 ERA in three starts.
The 25-year-old competed for a spot in the rotation during spring training before he was re-assigned to the bullpen. Red Sox skipper Alex Cora moved Winckowski to the rotation after injuries to Nick Pivetta, Garrett Whitlock, and Bello forced them all to the IL with various injuries.
With Pivetta and Bello back in the rotation and Whitlock close to returning, the Red Sox have no need for Winckowski as a starter. The move to option him to Triple-A is somewhat of a head-scratcher due to his success in the bullpen. With the emergence of Greg Weissert and Justin Slaten, Boston could be optioning Winckowski to keep him stretched out as a starter with the WooSox in case of another injury to the rotation.
