Prior to competing with Brandon McCarthy during Spring Training for the final spot in the Los Angeles Dodgers rotation, Alex Wood openly shared his belief that he deserved to fill a role as a starting pitcher. The odds, however, were not stacked in his favor.
Among the Dodgers surplus of starting pitchers, Wood was the only candidate — outside of Ross Stripling, who quickly was penned for a relief role — with any noteworthy experience out of the bullpen. Sure enough, the Dodgers tabbed McCarthy as their fifth starter.
But less than one month into the regular season, Wood has split his four games pitched between the rotation and bullpen. He’s two starts have come in place of Rich Hill when he’s landed on the disabled list because of the habitual blister on his left middle finger.
Despite another short outing, Wood felt progress was made, via Ken Gurnick of MLB.com:
“I thought my stuff was OK,” Wood said. “I thought I competed. My stuff wasn’t as good as it’s been so far. But I felt really good stamina-wise, going out for the fifth felt much better than I did in Chicago, so I’m moving in the right direction.”
The 26-year-old allowed four runs on seven hits, including one home run, over 4.2 innings of work against the Arizona Diamondbacks at hitter-friendly Chase Field. Wood did record a season-high six strikeouts.
In his first start of the year, on April 10 against the Chicago Cubs at Wrigley Field, he went just 3.2 innings. Wood limited the Cubs to just two runs (one earned), though did issue five walks.
Along with throwing one more inning Friday night than in his previous start, Wood was more efficient. He tossed 76 pitches against the Diamondbacks, compared to 70 in his first start.
Overall this season, he’s 1-0 with a 3.29 ERA, 1.24 WHIP, and has 14 strikeouts to seven walks in 13.2 innings.
How much longer Wood remains in the rotation not only is connected to Hill’s health, but may also be tied to when the Dodgers elect to recall Julio Urias. Manager Dave Roberts surmised the young left-hander might join the club by the end of April.
