With the Los Angeles Dodgers in their final week of 2017 Spring Training, the club is inching closer to arriving at final decisions on multiple roster questions. One was answered Monday, manager Dave Roberts announced Hyun-Jin Ryu will be included in the Dodgers Opening Day rotation.
Now that Clayton Kershaw, Kenta Maeda, Rich Hill and Ryu are slotted into the rotation, only one spot remains unanswered. Injuries or the Dodgers’ decision making has narrowed the competition down to Brandon McCarthy and Alex Wood.
While McCarthy and Wood are battling to complete the rotation, Roberts said both will make the active roster, per Andy McCullough of the L.A. Times:
Roberts indicated that the team is still debating whether Brandon McCarthy or Alex Wood will be the fifth starter, following Clayton Kershaw, Kenta Maeda, Rich Hill and Ryu. Wood will start Tuesday against the Cincinnati Reds. Both McCarthy and Wood will make the 25-man roster, Roberts said. One will pitch in the rotation, the other out of the bullpen.
McCarthy’s 2016 season spiraled in a negative direction, after a string of encouraging outings. He later admitted to suffering from a case of the yips, though that no longer is an issue.
The 33-year-old is 1-2 and has given up 10 runs (seven earned) on 14 hits, struck out seven and issued just one walk in 13 innings pitched across four Cactus League starts. McCarthy has used the spring to work on re-establishing and maintaining his in-game focus.
Wood began the spring pitching in relief. He allowed two runs on three hits in just one inning of work during his 2017 debut. But after that the left-hander allowed just two runs over his next three games (9.1 innings pitched). The last two of which were starts.
Wood has totaled 11 strikeouts during Spring Training, while only issuing two walks. He used the offseason to clean up his mechanics, and Wood recently said he appreciative of the opportunity to compete for a spot in the starting rotation.
The 26-year-old has also stated he believes he should be a starter, but was willing to accept a role out of the bullpen. Wood owns a career 2.85 ERA and 1.19 WHIP in 35 games as a reliever.
While Stripling entered camp among the pitchers vying for the two rotation slots, he hasn’t made any Cactus League starts. Two weeks ago, Roberts said Stripling was under consideration for a roster spot as a reliever.
But with one of McCarthy or Wood bound for the bullpen, it could push Stripling into the Triple-A Oklahoma City rotation. In nine games this spring, he’s allowed five runs (four earned) on 17 hits. Stripling has collected 15 strikeouts in 13.2 innings pitched.
