In preparation for their series-winning game against the Washington Nationals on May 12, the Boston Red Sox made a shocking roster move.
Josh Winckowski has been in Boston since the beginning of the season when he made the big-league team out of spring — the righty even contended for a spot in the starting rotation over the winter.
The night before Mother's Day, he was optioned to Worcester as the corresponding move to Brayan Bello's activation from the 15-day injured list. At the time of his demotion, Winckowski carried a 3.33 ERA with 19 strikeouts and 11 walks in 24.1 innings pitched.
Winckowski had been a solid long relief option for the Red Sox in the early games of the season, but his strikeout numbers began to decrease around April 15. The righty has allowed a run in five of his last seven appearances and his early campaign success has waned to the point that his most recent two appearances have been one-inning affairs.
"I think he'll benefit from going down there and working his repertoire. Probably a breaking ball for swing and miss. He's very talented. He'll start down there."
— NESN (@NESN) May 12, 2024
Alex Cora on Josh Winckowski being sent down to Triple-A Worcester | #RedSox pic.twitter.com/ZGUtEMt0lJ
Red Sox optioned Josh Winkowski to Triple-A to activate Brayan Bello for first start back from IL
Bello was placed on the IL retroactive to April 21 due to lat tightness. The young hurler returned on Mother's Day and tossed a good first outing back for the Red Sox.
Bello allowed two runs, fanned one batter and walked two in five innings of work. The two runs came off a homer by Eddie Rosario, who posted two long balls and a double in his three games against Boston.
Most of Bello's earned runs have come from home runs and then he's been relatively clean for the rest of the game. He's anchored Boston's rotation with some of the "ace-like" skill that it needs and his return to the rotation is great news for the staff.
Red Sox prospect Blaze Jordan to the IL with finger injury
Last week, the injury bug that has plagued the Red Sox's big-league club bit in the minor leagues. It struck again on May 11.
Portland Sea Dogs infielder Blaze Jordan charged into home plate during Saturday's action against Double-A Binghamton. The infielder dropped to slide into home, and as he did, his hand was crunched under the shin guard of the Rumble Ponies' catcher.
Jordan doubled over in pain after he was tagged out. He was placed on the seven-day IL, but the extent of his injury has yet to be revealed. Jordan batted .283/.342/.414 for Portland prior to his ailment.