Alex Wood the southpaw pitcher for the Los Angeles Dodgers has taken over as the ace for the team in the absence of Clayton Kershaw. However, Wood may be headed for another stint on the team’s disabled listed due to shoulder inflammation.
On Monday night, Wood started for the Dodgers against the Pittsburgh Pirates. He pitched six innings, giving up five hits and three runs, but did not get a decision in the Los Angeles 6-5 win in 12 innings against the Pirates.
Wood gave up three homers for just the second time during his 134 appearances in the majors’
Wood has had this same issue before during his career including this past May when the Dodgers put him on their 10-day disabled list.
Roberts added that the team would decide what they will do with Wood once the team’s medical staff is able to fully exam him and following any tests he may have done.
Roberts added that the recent inflammation was somewhat concerning due to Wood having history of the same and that means there has to be caution taken with this most recent issue.
On the season, Wood has a record of 14-1 with an ERA of 2.41. He has struck out 127 batters in his 123 1/3 innings of work this season.
The usual ace for the Dodgers, Kershaw still leads the NL in wins with 15 while he has only two losses. He had been sidelined nearly a month since July 24 due to a back problem. On Monday, Kershaw threw a four-inning simulated game and is due to make his first rehab start on Saturday for Oklahoma City, the Dodgers’ Triple-A affiliate.
The Dodgers have run away with the NL West division. At this time the Dodgers are 88-35 and lead the second place Colorado Rockies by 20 ½ games, with just 39 left on the regular season schedule.
Los Angeles is on course to set a new major league regular for wins in once season, which would break the current record of 116 set by the Seattle Mariners.
Kershaw and Wood have been a part of baseball’s best starting rotation as the team has a combined 3.13 ERA.
