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 Baseball debut with the Red Sox in 2022.