Reds lefty Alex Wood is finally pain-free after struggling with back issues all spring, as Bobby Nightengale of the Cincinnati Enquirer writes. He expressed optimism that he has turned the corner and is ready to move back towards the MLB roster.
Though Wood has still yet to throw off of a mound since a setback prompted a long layoff, there’s now some forward momentum — as well as a loose timeline. Now a week into a throwing program, Wood estimates that he’s “probably 2 ½ weeks” away from a rehab assignment. At last look, this kind of general rehab framework wasn’t yet clear.
Since he’ll likely need a few minor-league outings to build up a pitch count, it seems unrealistic to expect a return before the month of July. Nightengale suggests the All-Star break as a loose target, which seems reasonable.
That’s still a ways off. And hurdles remain, particularly since setbacks have thwarted prior attempts to overcome the back issues that cropped up this spring.
Wood thinks this time is different. “I feel really good,” he says. “Things have been going really, really well.” Though he acknowledged that he still doesn’t “want to get too far ahead of myself” given the course the injury has taken, he says he’s “definitely on the way” back to the MLB mound.
The Reds rotation has been a pleasant surprise even without Wood, an offseason acquisition who is earning $9.65MM in his final season of arbitration eligibility. But that doesn’t mean the 28-year-old southpaw isn’t needed back.
For one thing, it would be unwise to assume that the club will continue to enjoy such phenomenal good health from its existing unit. The Reds have yet to hand the ball to a pitcher other than Luis Castillo, Sonny Gray, Tanner Roark, Tyler Mahle, or Anthony DeSclafani to open a game. There’s also room to improve in the fifth slot, as DeSclafani has struggled.
If the Cincinnati organization is to make a charge this summer, it’ll need every advantage it can get. Wood could also be a trade or even a qualifying offer candidate if he returns to good form in a timely manner. And there’s obviously plenty on the line for the pitcher himself, who is slated to reach the open market at the end of the season.
Feel bad for this guy. He’s a really really good pitcher and his delivery is so unorthodox if he really got in a groove he’d be one of the top starters in the league
The Dodgers cleaned up his delivery quite a bit. He’s had lots of injury issues for sure but his other recurring problem has been consistency.
Reds top 3 is really good, wood needs to come back to replace one of the last two slots and that rotation is looking nice. Just need more offensive help and they could be relevant in a couple of years.
Since wood, Roark, puig, gennett, Dietrich, Jose Iglasius are in the last year of their contracts, the reds don’t have a couple years. They have a couple months.
Dietrich has 1 year of arb left. Gennett, Wood have not played, and Puig has had a minor impact on this team. I hope they do look to resign Iglesias to a 3 year deal. Roark is probably trade bait by the deadline, he’s had a very nice year so far, and could bring back a nice return.
I believe the run of only five starters starting for the Reds ends today, as they’re sending Lucas Sims out to start against the Buccos tonight.
Wood would be an absolute stud if he could stay healthy
Braves might be interested in him for the pen. Being a Georgia guy I’m sure he would have no objection. When Reds decide it’s time to re-load there might be a deal here.
If you’ll recall…he started WITH the Braves and they traded him to the Dodgers a couple of years ago.