Winans blanked the Reds on just 24 pitches over the first three innings in his Yankees debut. But the Reds scored three in the fourth.

The Yankees (45-33) had their chances to put up a crooked number to support Winans, but instead went 0-for-12 with runners in scoring position to drop the series opener.

Winans was a 17th-round pick by the Mets back in 2018, a Rule 5 snag by the Braves in 2021, and a DFA in January before the Yankees grabbed him. Like Yankees backup catcher JC Escarra, Winans has struggled to keep the dream alive, serving as a substitute teacher back in his hometown of Bakersfield in the offseason.