What was shaping up to be a surprising strength of the team has become decimated by injuries. As it stands, the Los Angeles Dodgers can point to two healthy starting pitchers: Ross Stripling and Alex Wood.
And in Wood’s case, healthy is loosely applied. He’s managed to make every turn in the rotation and is expected to take the ball again this week on schedule, but all signs point to the left-hander not being his usual self.
Wood lasted just 4.2 innings on Saturday night, in some part due to Logan Forsythe’s error that led to a long second inning. Wood gave up four runs (two earned) on nine hits, and managed to record six strikeouts without issuing a walk.
But the outing marked a third in a row in which he failed to complete six innings. Dodgers manager Dave Roberts attributed that to health issues, though Wood maintained it’s mechanical trouble.
Although he might be better suited for a role out of the bullpen at present time, Roberts said it’s not a luxury the Dodgers can afford, according to Bill Shaikin of the L.A. Times:
“We know that, like Kenta, he’s done it before and had success there,” Roberts said. “But until we get these guys back and can sustain some health, right now I just don’t think that’s a conversation we need to have.”
Wood suffered the loss on Saturday and fell to 1-5 on the season, with a 4.43 ERA and 1.19 WHIP. It’s in stark contrast to the 11-0 start Wood got off to last season, which propelled him to the MLB All-Star Game.
Beyond Stripling and Wood, the Dodgers don’t have any clear options to fill out the rotation. Walker Buehler is suffering from bruised ribs, which makes his availability unclear. Though, help may be on the way in the form of Rich Hill and Kenta Maeda.
Roberts confirmed again on Sunday morning that Wood will remain in the starting rotation.
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