The Los Angeles Dodgers lost a sixth starting pitcher to the disabled list this season on Monday when Alex Wood was put on the 10-day DL, retroactive to May 27, due to left SC joint inflammation. Overall, Wood is the Dodgers’ 21st different player to land on the DL.
While Los Angeles filled his spot on the active roster with relief pitcher Brandon Morrow, the team now needs a starter for Wednesday’s game with the St. Louis Cardinals. On the surface that shouldn’t be much of an issue given the Dodgers’ pitching depth.
According to Bill Plunkett of the Southern California News Group, Wood is only expected to miss one start and Hyun-Jin Ryu is the likely candidate to take his turn in the rotation:
#Dodgers Dave Roberts said Alex Wood should only miss 1 start. Hyun-Jin Ryu will start Wed in his place unless needed in relief next 2 days
— Bill Plunkett (@billplunkettocr) May 29, 2017
Wood classified the injury as minor and said he pitched through the discomfort in his last outing. The left-hander was in the midst of the best season of his career.
In 10 starts (eight games), Wood is 6-0 with a 1.69 ERA, 1.85 FIP and 1.00 WHIP, while striking out 60 and walking 15 in 48 innings of work.
As for Ryu, he last pitched on Friday when he threw four scoreless innings out of the bullpen to earn a save. It was Ryu’s first time pitching in relief but despite the success, it’s not a role he’s keen on filling.
Ryu this season is 2-5 with a 4.28 ERA, 5.22 FIP and 1.50 WHIP in eight games (seven starts). He last started for the Dodgers on May 18.
