Winegarner began his professional career in 1930 with the El Dorado Lions of the class-D Cotton States League as a third baseman. At the tail-end of the season, he was acquired by the Cleveland Indians, and he appeared in five games, getting 10 hits in 22 at bats for a .455 batting average.\n', '

After spending the 1931 season back in the minor leagues, he was converted to a pitcher in 1932. After starting the year with the Toledo Mud Hens, he was brought back up to the Indians in August. He appeared in seven games, two as a pinch hitter, four as a relief pitcher, and one as a starting pitcher. His first major league start resulted in his first major league win, a 6-4 complete game victory over the Chicago White Sox. Overall, he pitched 17.1 innings with a 1.04 ERA.\n', '

After spending 1933 with Toledo, Winegarner returned to the Indians in 1934, which was his first full season in the majors. Used mostly in relief, he appeared in 22 games as a pitcher, one as a right fielder, and nine as a pinch hitter. He posted a 5-4 record and batted .196, hitting his first major league home run on September 10 off Philadelphia Athletics pitcher George Caster.\n', '

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