Winckowski threw a perfect inning and earned a save against the White Sox on Friday.
Winckowski made his second appearance since being recalled from Triple-A Worcester on Aug. 27. In those two outings, he's combined to toss four scoreless innings, dropping his season ERA to 4.10. Boston's ninth-inning job appears to be somewhat open at the moment with Kenley Jansen (lat) sidelined for an indefinite period. Winckowski now has four career saves, with the previous three coming during the 2023 campaign.
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Red Sox's Josh Winckowski: Scoops up win in relief
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Winckowski (3-1) gave up an unearned run and retired all three batters he faced en route to picking up a win Monday in the Red Sox's 5-4 extra-inning victory over the Rangers.
Winckowski was back in the bullpen two days after he was called upon to make a spot start in Saturday's 5-4 loss to the Astros. He ended up serving as more of an opener for that contest, tossing 38 pitches over three innings of one-run ball before giving way to Brad Keller, who piggybacked him for four innings. Winckowski made quick work of the Rangers in his return to a relief role, inducing three groundouts to retire the side in the top of the 10th inning before the Red Sox broke through with two runs in the bottom of the frame. Given the light workload Monday, Winckowski could be a candidate to return to a starting role on three days' rest in Baltimore on Friday, when the Red Sox will require a replacement in the rotation for the injured James Paxton (calf). Cooper Criswell could end up serving as the longer-term replacement for Paxton, but he's currently on the COVID-19 injured list and may not be fully recovered from his illness to take the hill Friday.
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Red Sox's Josh Winckowski: Allows two homers in no-decision
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Winckowski did not factor into the decision in Saturday's 14-4 loss to the Yankees, allowing three runs on five hits and two walks with four strikeouts over 3.2 innings.
Winckowski surrendered a leadoff home run to Ben Rice in the first inning and a two-run homer to Alex Verdugo in the third. He departed at 66 pitches with one out to go in the fourth frame in an unimpressive follow-up to the five scoreless frames he threw Sunday. On the season, the 26-year-old owns a 3.23 ERA and 1.44 WHIP over 39 innings and lines up to face the Royals next week if he remains in the rotation.
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Red Sox's Josh Winckowski: Spins five shutout innings
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Winckowski (2-1) picked up the win Sunday versus the Padres. He did not allow a run in five innings, gave up four hits and struck out one.
Winckowski was efficient in his spot start, as he needed only 58 pitches to get through five innings. It was Winckowski's fourth start of the season and his first since early May. The 26-year-old pitched six innings of relief in his previous appearance and followed up Sunday with another quality showing. He lowered his ERA to 2.80 and is projected to face the Yankees next should he receive another turn in the rotation.
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Red Sox's Josh Winckowski: Bumped up from Triple-A
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The Red Sox recalled Winckowski from Triple-A Worcester on Monday, Mac Cerullo of the Boston Herald reports.
Winckowski will give the Red Sox a fresh arm in the bullpen who's capable of covering multiple innings. Boston was in need of some reinforcement in the bullpen after the team leaned on eight relievers to cover all nine innings of Sunday's 7-4 win over the Reds.
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Red Sox's Josh Winckowski: Sent to Triple-A
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The Red Sox optioned Winckowski to Triple-A Worcester on Sunday.
Sean McAdam of The Springfield Republican reported after Saturday's 4-2 win over the Nationals that Winckowski was headed back to Triple-A, but the Red Sox didn't make the right-hander's demotion official until Sunday, when right-hander Brayan Bello (lat) was reinstated from the 15-day injured list in a corresponding move. Over 12 appearances (three starts) for Boston this season, Winckowski holds a 3.33 ERA, 1.56 WHIP and 19:11 K:BB across 24.1 innings. According to Jen McCaffrey of The Athletic, manager Alex Cora said that Winckowski will join the rotation at Worcester.
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Red Sox's Josh Winckowski: Heading back to Triple-A
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The Red Sox are expected to option Winckowski to Triple-A Worcester on Sunday, Sean McAdam of The Springfield Republican reports.
The move will clear the way for Brayan Bello (lat) to be activated from the 15-day injured list ahead of his start Sunday against the Nationals. Winckowski has more walks (six) than strikeouts (four) over his last 14.2 innings (seven appearances). He'll likely be back up at some point when the Red Sox need a fresh bullpen arm.
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Red Sox's Josh Winckowski: Goes three frames in start
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Winckowski took a no-decision Saturday versus the Cubs, spinning three shutout inning while yielding only three hits. He struck out one.
Winckowski was making his second start following seven relief appearances, hence the reason he was pulled after just three innings and 52 pitches. He permitted a pair of baserunners in both the first and second frames but had a clean third inning to finish off his night. With Nick Pivetta (elbow) unlikely to be ready next week, Winckowski will probably be needed for at least one more start. However, he's simply still not stretched out enough to offer mixed-league value.
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Red Sox's Josh Winckowski: Covers 3.1 innings in start
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Winckowski didn't factor into the decision in Sunday's 6-1 win over the Pirates, allowing one run on three hits over 3.1 innings while striking out one.
Winckowski made his first start of the season in place of Garrett Whitlock (oblique), tossing a season-high 3.1 innings while limiting the Pirates to one run. After tossing no more than 28 pitches over his three previous outings, Winckowski was pulled after 46 pitches Sunday. The 25-year-old righty will get a chance to stretch out his arm more, with Pete Abraham of The Boston Globe noting that Winckowski will stick around in the rotation. His next start is expected to come next weekend, when the Red Sox welcome the Cubs to Fenway Park.
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Red Sox's Josh Winckowski: Confirmed as Sunday's starter
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Winckowski will start Sunday in Pittsburgh, Chris Cotillo of The Springfield Republican reports.
He will be taking the spot vacated by Garrett Whitlock (oblique). Winckowski hasn't pitched longer than 2.2 innings in any relief outing this season and went just one frame in each of his last two appearances, so Sunday's start will be a pretty short one. With Whitlock slated to miss at least a couple weeks, Winckowski could be needed for additional starts after Sunday.
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Red Sox's Josh Winckowski: Could be in line to start Sunday
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Winckowski is a likely candidate to start Sunday in Pittsburgh, Chris Cotillo of The Springfield Republican reports.
Manager Alex Cora held off officially naming Winckowski his starter for that day, perhaps in case he is needed in relief before then. He would be filling in for Garrett Whitlock (oblique) and could be asked to make an additional start while Whitlock recovers. Winckowski was stretched out as a starter in spring training, but all seven of his appearances so far in 2024 have come in relief with his longest outing being 2.2 innings, so he may not provide much length Sunday.
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Red Sox's Josh Winckowski: Multiple relief innings Friday
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Winckowski allowed one hit and two walks while striking out four over two relief innings in Friday's 1-0 loss to the Mariners.
Winckowski breezed through the seventh inning but ran into trouble in the eighth when he loaded the bases with two outs. Triston Casas made a nice defensive play to prevent any damage to Winckowski's line. Winckowski projects as a multi-inning reliever that can enter at any point during a game.
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Red Sox's Josh Winckowski: Runs into trouble
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Winckowski allowed six runs (five earned) on eight hits and one walk while striking out two over 3.2 innings in Thursday's spring game against the Phillies.
Winckowski, making his fourth Grapefruit League start, breezed through the first inning then hit a road bump in the second, which included a Triston Casas throwing error. The right-hander was sharp over his first three appearances before Thursday's effort. Peter Abraham of The Boston Globe notes that Tanner Houck and Cooper Criswell have positioned themselves for the final two rotation spots ahead of Winckowski and Garrett Whitlock; however, manager Alex Cora has not indicated which two pitchers will follow Brayan Bello, Nick Pivetta and Kutter Crawford in the rotation. Winckowski was a revelation out of the bullpen in 2023 and could be headed there again this year, per Abraham.
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Red Sox's Josh Winckowski: Makes rotation bid
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Winckowski walked one and struck out one over two hitless and scoreless innings in Wednesday's spring start against Washington.
Winckowski, making his Grapefruit League debut, walked the first batter he faced then retired six in a row, submitting his first piece of evidence that he should be Boston's fifth starter. The right-hander is transitioning from the bullpen -- he excelled in relief last season -- so Winckowski needs to show he can sustain through longer outings. His main competition for the final rotation spot is Tanner Houck and Garrett Whitlock.
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Red Sox's Josh Winckowski: Working as starter
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Winckowski will compete for a rotation spot this spring, Julian McWilliams of the Boston Globe reports.
Winckowski had a strong season as a reliever in 2023, but the Red Sox feel his stuff can hold up over longer outings. The right-hander is in the mix for Boston's final rotation spot along with Garrett Whitlock and Tanner Houck. Winckowski came up through the system as a starter, so pitching multiple innings is familiar.
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Red Sox's Josh Winckowski: Could get look in rotation
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Red Sox manager Alex Cora said Tuesday that Winckowski could be an option for the rotation in 2024, Mac Cerullo of the Boston Herald reports.
Winckowski had a terrific 2023 season out of Boston's bullpen, posting a 2.88 ERA and 82:31 K:BB over 84.1 innings. He was used almost exclusively as a starter throughout his pro career prior to that, though, and it sounds like the Red Sox will stretch him back out during spring training. Ultimately, whether Winckowski receives a legitimate look in the rotation could depend on how many starters the Red Sox acquire this offseason.
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Red Sox's Josh Winckowski: Snags third save
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Winckowski allowed an unearned run on three hits and struck out two without walking a batter to earn the save in Wednesday's 7-5 extra-inning win over the Astros.
Winckowski struggled a bit in the 10th inning, but he ultimately limited the damage to a Yainer Diaz RBI single. Kenley Jansen (hamstring) exited the game in the ninth inning after retiring one batter, while top setup men Chris Martin and Garrett Whitlock had pitched earlier in the contest. Winckowski has filled a versatile relief role this year, tallying three saves, 15 holds and four blown saves while posting a 3.06 ERA, 1.43 WHIP and 63:20 K:BB over 67.2 innings. The right-hander could see more high-leverage opportunities if Jansen is out for any extended length of time.
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Red Sox's Josh Winckowski: Serving as opener Sunday
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Winckowski will serve as the Red Sox's opening pitcher for Sunday's game against the Yankees, Jen McCaffrey of The Athletic reports.
After making 14 starts for Boston as a rookie in 2022, Winckowski has worked exclusively as a reliever for the Red Sox thus far in his second season in the majors. Though he'll be serving as a starter for the first time in 45 appearances, Winckowski is unlikely to cover more than 1-to-3 innings before turning the game over to Nick Pivetta, whom manager Alex Cora said will work the bulk of the innings in relief. Winckowski enters Sunday's contest with a 3.20 ERA, 1.41 WHIP and 57:18 K:BB in 64.2 innings to go with three wins, two saves and 15 holds.
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Red Sox's Josh Winckowski: Gets important outs
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Winckowski struck out two over a scoreless two-thirds of an inning and earned a hold in Sunday's 6-1 win over the Mets.
Winckowski was summoned with one out in the sixth inning at a high-leverage moment. The Mets had scored to make it a 5-1 ballgame and had two runners on with Pete Alonso up. The right-hander squelched the threat while showing improved velocity, which had dipped during June. Winckowski hit 97 and 98 mph and looked like the pitcher that was so vital to the Red Sox in the early months. He's tied for the league lead with 55.1 relief innings and maintains a 2.93 ERA.
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Red Sox's Josh Winckowski: Victimized by defense
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Winckowski (2-1) was tagged with Wednesday's loss to the Reds, allowing three unearned runs on three hits while striking out two over 1.1 innings.
Boston's shoddy infield defense reared itself once again when Rafael Devers' throwing error triggered a three-run inning for the Reds. The previous night, Enrique Hernandez committed a pair of throwing errors, one that led to a run in a 9-8 loss. "We're not a good defensive team," manager Alex Cora bluntly told Chad Jennings of The Athletic. "We have a pitching staff that doesn't have swing-and-miss stuff. When we get to two strikes and induce weak contact, we've got to make the plays. When we're really good, we're making plays. When we're not, we struggle." Winckowski, who's pitched well this season, put an end to an uprising in the sixth inning before the seventh went awry. The right-hander maintains a 2.14 ERA over 33.2 innings with 25 strikeouts and six walks.
