Josh Winder DVOA, Advanced Stats, & Fantasy Rankings

According to the Reno Aces, right-handed pitcher Josh Winder has signed a minor-league deal with the Arizona Diamondbacks. This deal includes an invitation to spring training. The 28-year-old has spent his entire MLB career with the Minnesota Twins. Last summer, Winder logged nine innings of work in the major leagues and allowed three earned runs while striking out ten batters. During the 2022 and 2023 seasons, Winder carried a 4.51 ERA and a 1.34 WHIP across 101 2/3 innings with the Twins. Through 105 career frames with Triple-A St. Paul, the former seventh-round selection posted a 5.49 ERA and a 1.52 WHIP. Fantasy managers should expect Winder to compete for a bullpen role during spring training, but given his lack of major league experience, he will likely open the season at the Triple-A level.

Minnesota Twins right-hander Josh Winder (shoulder) is set to start a minor-league rehab assignment with Low-A Fort Myers on Tuesday. Winder was placed on the 60-day injured list on Feb. 26 with a scapular stress fracture in his right shoulder that he suffered late last year. It means the 27-year-old reliever won't be able to rejoin Minnesota's bullpen at the big-league level until at least late May. Winder made his major-league debut for the Twins in 2022 and even started 11 games that year, but all 19 of his appearances last year came in a relief role. In his 101 2/3 total innings pitched the last two seasons in Minnesota, he has recorded a 4.51 ERA (4.57 FIP), one save, a 1.34 WHIP, 32 walks and 75 strikeouts. Winder is currently off the fantasy radar everywhere.

Minnesota Twins right-hander Josh Winder (shoulder) is behind the team's other pitchers in spring training as he builds up from a right-scapula stress fracture that he suffered late in the 2023 season that needed rest. The 27-year-old didn't know about the injury until he had an MRI exam in October, and as a result, he was unable to have a normal offseason as he recovered. Winder should have enough time to get ready for the start of the 2024 regular season, barring any setbacks in camp. In his second year in the big leagues for the Twins last year, Winder had a 4.15 ERA (3.98 FIP) and a 1.41 WHIP with his first career save, 14 walks and 28 strikeouts in 34 2/3 relief innings in his first season as strictly a reliever. With no path back to a starting role or a high-leverage bullpen job in Minnesota, he should be avoided in all fantasy formats.