Two Intriguing Hurlers Officially Make Red Sox Opening Day Roster After Impressive Spring

The Boston Red Sox are starting to make some roster decisions with Opening Day less than one week away.

Boston will begin the 2023 campaign on March 30 at Fenway Park when it takes on the Baltimore Orioles and the club will certainly be busy ahead of the clash. The Red Sox are going to have to make some tough decisions as they finalize their 26-man active roster and they already are starting to make some choices. 

Red Sox manager Alex Cora announced Thursday that young right-handed pitchers Kutter Crawford and Josh Winckowski will make the team's Opening Day roster after impressive spring performances, according to MassLive.com's Chris Cotillo. 

"Cora announced that (Kutter Crawford) will start the season as Boston’s No. 4 starter and make his season debut on April 3 against the Pirates," Cotillo said. "Righty Josh Winckowski will also make the team as a long-relief option.

“Both guys deserve to be on this team because of the way they have thrown the ball,” Cora said as transcribed by Cotillo. “The work they put in this offseason, it’s paying off.”

Crawford and Winckowski both saw time with the Red Sox in 2022 but bounced back and forth between the majors and minor leagues. While it's likely both will bounce back and forth again as the Red Sox's pitchers start getting healthier, the duo both certainly earned their spots on Boston's Opening Day roster. 

Both Crawford and Winckowski made three starts for Boston in Grapefruit League action and appeared in four games each overall. Crawford compiled a 2-0 record and 2.03 ERA across 13 1/3 innings pitched to go along with 14 strikeouts to just three walks. Winckowski was 1-1 with a minuscule 1.29 ERA in 14 innings pitched. The young righty struck out 12 batters to go along with four walks. 

Boston's bullpen struggled in 2022 and should be significantly improved this season, but has been bitten by the injury bug over the last few weeks. Newcomer Joely Rodriguez is set to miss an extended period with an oblique strain and Wyatt Mills also will miss time. Winckowski in an extended role hopefully can help right the ship and stabilize Boston's bullpen. 

Crawford may not have a spot in the Boston rotation for very long with Garrett Whitlock, Brayan Bello, and James Paxton all progressing after injury concerns early in spring training. Although this is the case, the 26-year-old has shined in the spring and hopefully, that can transition to regular season action. He may not be in the rotation for very long, but he's sure to be a depth option for Boston all season as injuries pile up. 

Boston will begin regular season action on March 30 at Fenway Park when it welcomes the Baltimore Orioles to town.