The Los Angeles Dodgers brought back a familiar face in 2020, signing Alex Wood to a one-year contract. Wood was a key part of the Dodgers’ rotation from 2015-18, putting up a career season and being named an All-Star in 2017.
In a salary-motivated deal, the Dodgers traded Wood to the Cincinnati Reds before the 2019 season, although he only spent one injury-plagued year there before returning to L.A.
Wood made it clear that wanted to be a starter for the Dodgers in 2020, and he wound up making the Opening Day rotation. Unfortunately, command was an issue in his season debut against the San Francisco Giants and Wood only lasted three innings.
It was then revealed that he was dealing with shoulder inflammation that forced him to land on the 10-day injured list, where he remained until the beginning of September.
With the emergence of rookies Dustin May and Tony Gonsolin, Wood was never able to regain his spot in the rotation, pitching out of the bullpen for the Dodgers down the stretch.
In nine regular-season appearances (two starts), Wood yielded a 6.39 ERA, 5.01 FIP and 1.82 WHIP with 15 strikeouts and six walks in 12.2 innings.
Because of his experience, he became a valuable bullpen piece for the Dodgers in the postseason, giving the team some length when needed.
Overall in four October appearances, Wood allowed just three hits and one run in 6.2 innings (1.35 ERA) while striking out eight and walking two.
2020 highlight
Wood’s best postseason appearance came in Game 6 of the World Series when the Dodgers closed out the Tampa Bay Rays to clinch their first championship since 1988.
Gonsolin started the game and was unable to give any length, so manager Dave Roberts went to Wood early to pitch the third and fourth innings. The southpaw was brilliant, tossing two perfect frames while striking out three of the six hitters he faced to set up the rest of the bullpen nicely to finish out the game.
2021 outlook
Since Wood’s contract with the Dodgers was only one year, he again is a free agent this winter. His future with the team likely depends on a couple of factors, with the main one being how much he desires to be a starter.
The Dodgers return all of their starting pitchers in 2021, which means there isn’t a spot in the rotation for Wood. So if he wants to be a starter, as was the case a year ago, then his second tenure with L.A. has likely come to an end.
Wood did prove his value as a reliever, and with the Dodgers having a need for a left-handed bullpen piece, he could potentially be the answer there if willing to accept that role.
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