In no slight against Alex Wood, he’s arguably been the biggest surprise for the Los Angeles Dodgers this season. Wood did pitch well last year after returning from elbow surgery, but he’s on track to have the best season of his young career.
That’s despite beginning as a long reliever because of the Dodgers crowded starting rotation. Wood remained first in line if and when any form of injury struck, and he’s capitalized on opportunities created by Rich Hill’s blister.
But Wood was stopped in his tracks earlier this week when the Dodgers placed him on the 10-day disabled list due to left SC joint inflammation. The 26-year-old was projected to miss just one start.
However, Wood’s recovery didn’t progress as the Dodgers had hoped, and he returned to Los Angeles to be examined by team doctors. While that didn’t reveal a new injury, Wood is expected to miss a second start, per Ken Gurnick of MLB.com:
“Alex … it came back as benign as possible,” Roberts said. “We’re trying to figure out when to pencil him in, but essentially it will be two missed starts. He’ll start throwing in the next day or two.”
Assuming all goes well, that puts the southpaw on track to return for the three-game series against the Cincinnati Reds that begins Friday, June 9. In the interim, Hyun-Jin Ryu is expected to make another start.
Wood this season is 6-0 with a 6-0 with 1.69 ERA, 1.87 FIP and 1.00 WHIP in 10 games (eight starts). He’ll return from the disabled list with a 25.1 scoreless innings streak.
Wood was named the National League Pitcher of the Month for May. He went 5-0 with a 1.27 ERA, 41 strikeouts and seven walks.
Adam Liberatore is another who was examined L.A., and he too received positive news. Liberatore’s elbow was deemed to be structurally sound, leaving him with left forearm tightness to overcome.
