"The additional news that Winckowski underwent internal brace surgery this month sheds more light on his potential timeline. The procedure typically allows pitchers to return sooner than they would if they had Tommy John surgery. Winckowski will be building back up as a starter, adds Adams. With several months of recovery still ahead of him, it makes sense that the Blue Jays inked him to a two-year deal."
"It's a return home for Winckowski, who was drafted by Toronto out of high school in 2016. He delivered promising results in the lower levels of the minors, reaching High-A by 2019. Winckowski was then involved in a pair of notable trades ahead of the 2021 season. Toronto sent him to the Mets as part of a package for Steven Matz. Two weeks later, New York flipped him to the Red Sox in a three-team deal that involved Andrew Benintendi going to the Royals."
"Winckowski debuted with Boston in 2022. He made 15 appearances (14 starts) for the big-league club, pitching to a 5.89 ERA. Winckowski struggled to miss bats (13.9% strikeout rate) but got ground balls at more than a 52% clip. The Red Sox transitioned Winckowski to a bullpen role in 2023, and the change paid immediate dividends. The righty's fastball velocity jumped more than 2 mph, and his strikeout rate improved to 22.3%."
Josh Winckowski signed a two-year minor league contract with the Toronto Blue Jays after undergoing internal brace surgery and targets a late-2026 pitching return. The 27-year-old missed the remainder of the prior season due to a flexor strain after six early-season appearances with Boston and elected minor-league free agency following a November designation for assignment. The internal brace procedure typically shortens recovery compared with Tommy John surgery, and Winckowski will rebuild as a starter. Toronto originally drafted him in 2016, and he later was traded to the Mets and then to the Red Sox. He has shown ground-ball skill and improved strikeout rate after moving to the bullpen.
Read at MLB Trade Rumors
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