Los Angeles Dodgers starter Alex Wood was named the National League Pitcher of the Month for May. He’s the first Dodgers pitcher to receive the honor since Clayton Kershaw in May 2016.
Wood was previously recognized as the NL Player of the Week for games played May 8-14. He went a remarkable 5-0 with a 1.27 ERA, 41 strikeouts and seven walks last month.
Wood currently has a 25.1 scoreless innings streak, but is on the 10-day disabled list because of left SC joint inflammation.
The Dodgers only expected Wood to miss one start, however that may no longer be the case as his recovery stalled. Wood, along with Adam Liberatore, returned to Los Angeles to be examined by team doctors.
Overall this season, Wood is 6-0 with 1.69 ERA, 1.87 FIP and 1.00 WHIP in 10 games (eight starts). He began the year in the bullpen as a long reliever, and has shined as a starter since an opportunity was created because of Rich Hill’s troublesome blister.
Wood’s attributed his success to being healthy and establishing a rhythm. Dodgers manager Dave Roberts recently referred to the 26-year-old as ‘1A’ to Kershaw.
Also on Friday, Cody Bellinger was named NL Rookie of the Month. He batted .245/.314/.566 with five doubles, one triple, nine home runs and 27 RBI over 28 games (27 starts) in May.
