Josh Winckowski spent most of 2026 rehabbing from Tommy John surgery. Now the former Red Sox right-hander looks like a sneaky Blue Jays bullpen option for 2027.

The signing flew under the radar last winter. Toronto gave the former Jays draft pick a two-year minor league deal, knowing he'd miss most or all of the season.

His route back is a long one. Toronto traded him to the Mets in the Steven Matz deal, then he was flipped to Boston weeks later and debuted in 2022.

A right flexor strain ended his 2025 in May. After the Red Sox designated him for assignment and he elected free agency, he had the internal brace procedure in December.

The comeback looked sharp. Across six rehab outings between Dunedin and Buffalo, he allowed just one earned run in 13.2 innings.

He struck out 17 batters and walked five, finishing with a 0.95 WHIP. The only run he allowed came on a homer.

Josh Winckowski's 2023 form would make him a valuable bulk reliever

That 2023 season is the target. Working mostly in relief, he posted a 2.88 ERA over a career-high 84.1 innings.

As a reliever overall, he owns a 3.80 ERA. The starter experiment in Boston went worse, with a 5.89 ERA as a rookie.

The contact is the drawback. He's allowed 9.9 hits per nine for his career, though as a ground-ball pitcher he could benefit from Toronto's strong infield defence.

Is there room for him? Barely, which makes his experience matter.

The internal competition includes Spencer Arrighetti, Brendan Cellucci, Chad Dallas, Bowden Francis, John Klein, Chase Lee, Brendon Little, José Rodriguez, Ricky Tiedemann and CJ Van Eyk.

Yimi Garcia, who spent most of 2026 on the IL, and Paul Sewald are free agents. That opens a couple of doors.

He should be the first internal name John Schneider considers for bulk innings. If Spencer Miles moves to the rotation, somebody has to cover multiple frames, and a healthy 28-year-old with a proven relief track record fits.

He's the old power tool you find in the garage after cleaning out the clutter. It might need fresh batteries, but it still does the job.

MLB Trade Rumors' Steve Adams noted the Jays may have eyed him as a starter when they signed him. Camp will decide which version shows up, assuming a lockout doesn't delay camp itself.