The Overlooked Reason for Josh Winckowski’s Demotion
On May 12, the Boston Red Sox made a significant roster move, reinstating Brayan Bello from the injured list. In a surprising decision for many fans, they chose to send right-handed reliever Josh Winckowski down to Triple-A.
Winckowski, who had been a dependable bullpen option since making the team out of spring training, posted a respectable 3.33 ERA over 12 appearances, including three starts. However, recent performances indicated a decline: he allowed six earned runs in his last seven outings, which caused his ERA to spike.
Meanwhile, another reliever, Cam Booser, has emerged as a more reliable option. Booser, who debuted in the MLB earlier this season at 31, has delivered consistent performances with a 3.09 ERA over 11.2 innings. His inspiring journey from being a carpenter and youth baseball coach to making it to the big leagues captivated fans, and his on-field results have solidified his spot on the roster.
The decision to keep Booser over Winckowski might also stem from the bullpen’s need for variety. With a predominantly right-handed bullpen, Booser’s left-handed pitching provides a strategic advantage. This dynamic likely influenced the decision to retain Booser and demote Winckowski, despite his early-season success.
Red Sox manager Alex Cora acknowledged the difficulty of the decision, assuring fans that Winckowski would be back. In the meantime, Booser, Brennan Bernardino, and Justin Slaten will support the bullpen. Additionally, Garrett Whitlock’s anticipated return to the starting rotation could introduce Cooper Criswell as another valuable long-relief option.
Ultimately, Booser’s compelling rise and dependable performance may have been the key factors in Winckowski’s demotion, highlighting the tough choices teams must make to optimize their rosters.
