The Los Angeles Dodgers began a stretch of 17 games in 16 days, which has manager Dave Roberts open to potentially expanding to a six-man starting rotation. That possibility is under consideration as Clayton Kershaw and Alex Wood are set to return from the disabled list.
Kershaw has been on the 10-day DL since July 24, while Wood was sidelined Aug. 22. He considered the latest brush with left SC join inflammation more minor than the first instance from earlier this season that also required a stint on the disabled list.
Wood and Dodgers manager Dave Roberts projected the southpaw would return during the weekend series against the San Diego Padres.
Wood received a cortisone injection and is slated to be activated and start Sunday in the four-game series finale, according to Bill Plunkett of the Southern California News Group:
Left-hander Alex Wood said a cortisone injection relieved the inflammation in his sternoclavicular joint. He plans to throw bullpens on Wednesday and Friday then come off the DL and start Sunday in San Diego.
Once activated, Wood will have spent 11 days on the disabled list. The start against the Padres will be his first at Petco Park since shouting at Manuel Margot, which sparked managers Andy Green and Dave Roberts exchanging words followed by benches clearing.
Green explained after the game he took umbrage with threats being aimed at his player, which Wood denied transpired. Roberts was suspended one game while Green and Wood were each fined for the incident.
On the season, Wood is 14-1 with a 2.41 ERA, 2.95 FIP and 1.01 WHIP in 22 games (20 starts).
