The Boston Red Sox have told pitcher Josh Winckowski that he will pitch out of the bullpen to start the season, despite his bid to win a starting rotation spot.
Per Pete Abraham of the Boston Globe on social media:
Cora said the decision was made to put Josh Winckowski in the bullpen.
Winckowski, who was acquired before the 2021 season in a trade for Andrew Benintendi, is 0-1 this spring with a 4.76 ERA. The hope has been that new Red Sox' Chief Baseball Officer Craig Breslow and pitching coach Andrew Bailey could improve each pitcher on the staff, and that may happen for Winckowski, but it will be out of the 'pen.
Winckowski is coming off an excellent year out of the bullpen for Boston, going 4-4 with a 2.88 ERA. He struck out 82 batters in 84.1 innings and was a reliable bridge option to closer Kenley Jansen and set-up man Chris Martin.
Lifetime, he's 9-11 with a 4.25 ERA.
The decision to put Winckowski in the bullpen narrows the competition for the Red Sox' starting rotation. In the wake of Lucas Giolito's season-ending injury, it looks like Brayan Bello, Nick Pivetta and Kutter Crawford are locks.
Then, two of three of Garrett Whitlock, Tanner Houck and Cooper Criswell are going to make the rotation.
Boston finished last in the American League East last season and is projected to finish there again this season, especially after the devastating loss of Giolito.
They open up the season on March 28 against the Seattle Mariners.
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