Red Sox's Josh Winckowski Explains Almost Missing Spring Training Start for Jury Duty

Boston Red Sox pitcher Josh Winckowski had the perfect excuse to get himself out of jury duty this week.

Winckowski was nearly selected to serve on a jury on Tuesday, but when asked if there was any reason he couldn't participate, he responded, "I have to pitch in Clearwater Thursday," according to NESN's Tom Caron.

The right-hander, who played high school baseball in Estero, Florida, was eventually sent home, and it would appear he's ready to go for Boston's spring training matchup against the Philadelphia Phillies on Thursday in the Sunshine State.

Winckowski was drafted by the Toronto Blue Jays in 2016 but made his major league debut with the Red Sox in 2022.

The 25-year-old reliever finished the 2023 campaign 4-4 with a 2.88 ERA, 1.42 WHIP and 82 strikeouts in 84.1 innings across 60 games.

Winckowski enters 2024 in a Red Sox bullpen that includes Chris Martin, Brennan Bernardino, Isaiah Campbell and Joely Rodríguez, among others.