A surplus of starting pitchers sent Alex Wood to the bullpen when the Los Angeles Dodgers set their Opening Day roster, and now six months later, it may be where the southpaw concludes the year.
Injuries in April created an opportunity for Wood in the rotation and he took full advantage. The 26-year-old put together a stellar first half of the season to cement a role as a starting pitcher and earn a first career bid to the All-Star Game.
His stellar performance in Game 4 of the World Series helped the Dodgers pull even with the Houston Astros, though they return to Dodger Stadium facing elimination.
“Everyone is available outside of Clayton and Yu Darvish,” Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said of his staff with regard to Game 6.
When pressed on whether that also included Wood, who threw 84 pitches over 5.2 innings a mere three days ago, Roberts said a final determination would be made once Wood reports to the field on Tuesday.
“Obviously each guy is going to want to do everything he can to help us win a baseball game,” Roberts said. “So, again, more information once I hear how they’re feeling.”
After holding the Astros to just one hit — a solo home run — Wood expressed a willingness to come back on short rest in either Game 6 or a potential winner-take-all Game 7. “I’ll try to get ready as fast as I can,” he said. “If we go to seven games I’ll be ready.”
Possibly being available Tuesday night would go a long way for a bullpen that’s shown cracks since the late innings of Game 2. Because of that, Roberts said he may be more inclined to sticking with starter Rich Hill longer than previous outings.
“You’ve got to be open to pushing him,” Roberts said, “And I know he’s up for the challenge.”
