The Los Angeles Dodgers placed Adam Liberatore on the 10-day disabled list for a second time this season, with the reliever succumbing to left forearm tightness. Liberatore joins a long list of regular contributors the Dodgers are currently without.
It includes Alex Wood, who was put on the DL with left SC joint inflammation. He missed Wednesday’s start as a result, and was expected to be activated after one turn through the rotation. However, that may no longer be the case.
According to Andy McCullough of the L.A. Times, Liberatore and Wood returned to Los Angeles and will be examined by doctors to further evaluate their respective injuries:
The Dodgers team doctors will examine Adam Liberatore in Los Angeles later this week. Liberatore flew back to get elbow checked.
— Andy McCullough (@McCulloughTimes) June 1, 2017
Alex Wood also flew home to get examined by team doctors. His condition hasn't improved as quickly as the team hoped.
— Andy McCullough (@McCulloughTimes) June 1, 2017
Dave Roberts said he is not concerned about structural damage to Alex Wood's shoulder. The discomfort is in his sternum.
— Andy McCullough (@McCulloughTimes) June 1, 2017
If the Dodgers are to lose Wood for an extended period of time it will remove their second-best pitcher from the rotation. Wood began the season in the bullpen but pressed into starting duty as Rich Hill dealt with recurring blister trouble.
He’s gone 6-0 with a 1.69 ERA, 1.87 FIP and 1.00 WHIP in eight games (six starts). Wood currently owns a 25.1 scoreless innings streak. A prolonged injury presumably would lead to Hyun-Jin Ryu rejoining the rotation.
The 30-year-old held the St. Louis Cardinals to one run on three hits over six innings Wednesday night. Dodgers manager Dave Roberts previously remarked the outlook for Ryu was dependent on Wood’s health.
Liberatore has allowed one run on three hits, and has five strikeouts to two walks in 3.1 innings over four games with the Dodgers this season. Liberatore has also spent time with Triple-A Oklahoma City, where he’s 0-1 with a 0.93 ERA in eight games.
Liberatore suffered from knee and elbow trouble last season, which eventually led to arthroscopic left elbow debridement.
