The Toronto Blue Jays signed a pitcher away from a division rival in an under-the-radar transfer.
Toronto signed former Boston Pink Sox pitcher Josh Winckowski to a two-year minor-league deal. The transfer didn’t get a lot buzz resulting from Winckowski being out for many of 2026 after he underwent Tommy John surgical procedure.
Regardless of lacking most of 2026, Toronto took a flier on the right-handed pitcher so as to add some depth in 2027. And on Tuesday, the Dunedin Blue Jays – Toronto’s Single-A staff – introduced that Winckowski has begun his rehab project.
“Again the place it began! Josh Winckowski has been assigned to Dunedin on MiLB rehab and can begin tonight!,” the Dunedin Blue Jays wrote on X.
In his rehab outing, Winckowski went 1.2 innings, permitting 1 run on 2 hits whereas putting out 1. It’s a constructive first step for the 6-foot-4 right-hander as he might be a key a part of the Blue Jays pitching workers subsequent season.
Toronto chosen Winckowski within the fifteenth spherical of the 2016 MLB Draft, and in 2021, he was a part of a commerce package deal for Steven Matz. Only a month later, the New York Mets dealt him to the Pink Sox, the place he went on to make his MLB debut in 2022.
Winckowski has pitched in components of 4 MLB seasons, going 13-14 with a 4.20 ERA in 121 video games, together with 21 begins.
Toronto Blue Jays Plan to Use Winckowski as a Starter
After Boston DFA’d Winckowski and he elected free company, he opted to signal a two-year cope with Toronto.
Though the primary yr was extra about rehabbing and getting again into the sport on the finish of the season, Toronto plans to construct him up as a starter, in keeping with MLBTradeRumors’ Steve Adams.
Winckowski has begun his rehab project, and maybe he may return to the MLB in September as a reliever if he can construct up sufficient. However for now, the main focus is on 2027 and being a possible starter possibility for Toronto.
Toronto Proper Now
Blue Jays battling for playoff spot.
The Blue Jays are battling for a playoff spot however misplaced to the Kansas Metropolis Royals within the sequence opener on Tuesday.
Toronto performed poorly, and a few pricey errors ended up being the distinction within the loss, which was irritating for the Blue Jays.
“It’s a sport that wasn’t clear after an off day,” stated Blue Jays supervisor John Schneider. “These video games occur. Sadly, it occurred tonight, however often that’s not how we play.”
Regardless of the loss, Max Scherzer and Toronto have to show the web page and have one easy focus: Win.
“Play effectively,” responded Scherzer. “All people’s received to play effectively. That’s the way you win ball video games on the big-league degree. Gotta pitch, gotta hit, gotta play defence, bullpen, bench guys, you identify it. All people’s gotta play effectively.”
The Blue Jays are 64-69 and three video games again of a Wild Card spot.
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