BOSTON — The Red Sox needed a roster spot to make room for the imminent return of Brayan Bello Sunday, but their move to do so was a surprising one.
The team optioned Josh Winckowski to Worcester after Saturday’s 4-2 win over Washington, a baseball source confirmed. Bello will start for the Red Sox in Sunday’s series finale against the Nationals.
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Winckowski appeared stunned by the news as various teammates approached him in the clubhouse and offered support.
Winckowski, 25, had split time between the bullpen and the starting rotation this season. Appearing in 12 games, he had posted a 1-1 record with a 3.33 ERA. In nine relief appearances, he had compiled a 4.61 ERA while in three starts, he had a 1.69 ERA.
He was part of the competition for the starting rotation in spring training before losing out and being re-assigned to the bullpen. He began the season as a reliever, but when injuries to the rotation hit — Nick Pivetta, Garrett Whitlock and Bello all were forced to the IL — he was moved back into the rotation.
His last outing came out of the bullpen Wednesday in Atlanta, when he pitched the fifth inning in relief of Pivetta, who was making his first start in weeks.
It had been thought that the Sox might option lefty Cam Booser. But with a number of starters returning to good health — Pivetta returned last week, Bello will do so Sunday and Whitlock may be back in another week or so after a scheduled rehab start set for Wednesday — the Sox didn’t need Winckowski as a starter option.
Meanwhile, a number of new acquisitions, led by Zack Kelly, Greg Weissert and Rule 5 pick Justin Slaten, have emerged as trustworthy righthanded bullpen options.
It’s unknown what role the Red Sox have in mind for Winckowski in Worcester. He could continue to pitch in relief and be called back up if there are injuries or performance issues in the bullpen. Or, they could put him in the rotation and stretch him out, giving them a depth starter option at Triple A.
