In light of the Los Angeles Dodgers place Rich Hill on the 10-day disabled list because of the chronic blister on his left middle finger, manager Dave Roberts confirmed Alex Wood has returned to the rotation. Wood is scheduled to start in Friday’s series opener against the Arizona Diamondbacks at Chase Field.
He last pitched on April 15, firing 3.1 hitless innings against the Diamondbacks. By slotting Wood into the rotation on Friday, coupled with an off day during the week, Kenta Maeda will next start on six days’ rest.
Last season, Maeda’s first in the Majors, the Dodgers attempted to provide him with at least one extra day of rest whenever possible. He went 6-4 with a 3.01 ERA in 13 starts on five days’ rest, and 4-1 with a 3.48 ERA in six starts on a minimum of six days’ rest.
Maeda has labored through each of his three outings this season, failing to go throw more than five innings in any start. He’s 1-1 with a 7.07 ERA and 1.36 WHIP
Pitching on five days’ rest in his start over the weekend didn’t make much of a difference. Maeda only went four innings, his shortest outing of the year, and allowed four runs on four hits. The 29-year-old did set a season-high five strikeouts.
In the outfield, Franklin Gutierrez is eligible to be reinstated from the 10-day disabled list on Friday. “He’s going to go to Camelback Ranch and take some at-bats there within his DL time,” Roberts said.
“Come Friday, we’ll make a decision if there needs to be more time for at-bats, or he’ll be activated.” Gutierrez suffered a mild hamstring strain on April 10 and was put on the DL two days later.
He’s batting .286/.385/.670 with two doubles in 13 at-bats over six games.
