The 2020 season is less than a week old but the Los Angeles Dodgers have already been bit by the injury bug.
Clayton Kershaw was scratched from his Opening Day start and placed on the 10-day injured list with a back issue, and on Tuesday he was joined by Alex Wood as he is dealing with shoulder inflammation.
Wood returned to the Dodgers on a one-year contract after an injury-plagued 2019 season with the Cincinnati Reds. He won a spot in the starting rotation although only made it through one outing before landing back on the IL.
“It’s actually been a couple weeks from what I hear. He just felt he could continue to go through his workouts in the weight room, bullpens, and obviously make his start,” Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said.
“After that start, didn’t feel great, and also we were fortunate enough to have information on his arm slot dropping a little bit. That kind of is a notifier, so we felt to be smart, get a scan, which was clear, and now to put him on the IL. Don’t really have a timetable, but I expect him back soon.”
Roberts added they weren’t too concerned going into his first start of the year against the San Francisco Giants. “We just felt he could make it and wouldn’t compromise health, so that’s why we decided to go ahead with it,” Roberts said.
While Wood continued throwing during the four months off due to the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, Roberts does not believe that contributed to the injury.
“Alex finished the season last year with an injury, so took some rest, got healthy, went to Driveline and worked on some mechanical things, got his body right. From January on, he was throwing and trying to get back to where he needed to be,” Roberts said.
“So the ramp-up was very gradual, he was in a good place. This is not anything that’s serious. It’s more something that kind of popped up. We feel good he’ll be back to throwing the baseball the way he was and healthy.”
It’s unclear who will replace Wood in the Dodgers’ rotation, although it only may be for one or two turns through if his injury isn’t serious.
Wood frustrated with lack of aggressiveness in first start
The shoulder injury for Wood makes a bit of sense considering he didn’t look like his usual self against the Giants. His command was all over the place, walking three while allowing three hits and three runs in three innings with four strikeouts.
After the game, he was upset by his lack of aggressiveness early.
“Pretty disappointing. Especially, the mental side is something I pride myself in. Being prepared, having a solid gameplan and being able to take that on the field,” Wood said. “To get away from what I know I do best and how I pitch, is a little frustrating for me.”
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