Los Angeles Dodgers starting pitcher Alex Wood will require roughly four weeks of rest after an MRI revealed a posterior impingement in his left elbow, the club announced. He’ll be re-evaluated at that time.
The Dodgers placed Wood on the 15-day disabled list on Tuesday with left posterior elbow soreness. Wood originally reported triceps soreness in his throwing arm, which delayed his scheduled start by three days.
Wood also suffered from left forearm tightness that forced him to be scratched from a scheduled Cactus League start in mid-March. He’s 1-4 with a 3.99 ERA, 3.23 FIP and 1.31 WHIP over 10 starts this season.
With the 25 year old out for the foreseeable future, it figures to create an opportunity for Julio Urias. The young left-hander was recalled from Triple-A Oklahoma City, and is scheduled to start Thursday’s series finale against the Chicago Cubs.
However, the Dodgers intend to keep Urias on an innings limit this season. Beyond that, Wood’s injury places more strain on a rotation that’s been without Brett Anderson, Brandon McCarthy and Hyun-Jin Ryu.
Ryu was in the process of completing a rehab assignment, but suffered a setback that’s further delayed his return from last May’s shoulder surgery. The furthest extent of McCarthy’s work has been throwing bullpen sessions and live batting practice, while Anderson just started a throwing program.
It’s plausible the Dodgers will look to once again incorporate Ross Stripling, who was named the club’s fifth starter out of Spring Training. Stripling went 2-3 with a 4.53 ERA, 3.73 FIP and 1.36 WHIP in nine games (eight starts).
He was optioned to Oklahoma City after appearing out of the bullpen in the 17-inning game with the San Diego Padres, which left the Dodgers in need of a starter two days later. Like Urias, Stripling is working on an innings limit this season.