The Tigers announced this morning that veteran left-hander Travis Wood, who is in camp on a minor league deal and competing for a roster spot, has been diagnosed with a torn ACL and medial meniscus in his left knee. Wood suffered the injury yesterday when executing a rundown in his Tigers debut. He’s weighing surgical options at present, per MLB.com’s Jason Beck (Twitter link).
The 31-year-old Wood inked a two-year, $12MM contract with the Royals last winter but struggled enormously both in Kansas City and in San Diego in 2017, working to an overall 6.80 ERA with 6.2 K/9, 4.3 BB/9 and a 1.8 HR/9 mark in 94 innings. He’s still owed $6.5MM in 2018, but the Royals agreed to pay the entirety of that sum when he was traded to San Diego, so the Tigers aren’t on the hook for any of that salary. Considerable as his ’17 struggles were, Wood totaled 161 2/3 innings with a 3.51 ERA, 9.2 K/9, 3.5 BB/9 and 1.1 HR/9 between nine starts and 122 relief appearances for the Cubs from 2015-16.
The injury takes him out of the equation for a roster spot in Detroit, though, and could very well end his 2018 season entirely before it truly begins. The Tigers currently have Michael Fulmer, Jordan Zimmermann and Mike Fiers in their rotation, with Alex Wilson, Daniel Norris, Matt Boyd and Francisco Liriano vying for the two remaining spots. The bullpen is even murkier, with Shane Greene locked in as the club’s closer but little certainty beyond that point. Wilson would return to the ‘pen if he doesn’t win a rotation spot, and he’s likely to be joined by Daniel Stumpf and Joe Jimenez, though there’s a fairly wide-open competition for multiple relief jobs in Detroit.
Dude that’s awful … seriously I actually feel really bad for Travis. Guy is trying to stay alive in the majors and this happens. Wonder how long he will be out.
Ugh. Wood was one of my favorite Cubs. Was really pulling for him and hoping him and Bosio can rejuvenate his career.
Of course this happens to the tigers. Smh
Yeah poor tigers. Nevermind the guy whose season just ended
He is still getting paid isn’t he? And the tigers aren’t getting what they paid for.
He’s in camp on a minor league deal and an NRI. He’s basically free.
The Tigers aren’t paying for anything. Wood is earning a $6.5MM salary this year — the bill for which is being footed by the Royals.
He was in camp on a minor league deal after being released. The Tigers aren’t paying him anything.
The Tigers aren’t paying for a thing.
Wouldn’t the tigers be paying the minimum and the royals the remainder?
Yeah, no other team has injuries, right…
It’s a shame as the Tigers need as much help as possible. Hope it all works out for him.
I hate this injury.
Wood got a bad break. The tigers have back up options in the open free agents.
The MLB either needs two more teams or the NL needs to adopt the DH rule so aging hitters can still play.
There goes my Cy Young candidate.
There’s still an outside shot
I’m fairly certain this could be more detrimental to Travis’ career as a whole than just the 2018 season. With a 6.80 ERA last year, a serious injury, and now being on the wrong side of 30, it’s just not looking good and if he makes it back to the Majors, I think it’ll be a huge struggle. Best of luck to him.
Is 30 on the wrong side of 30 ?
Agreed. This was his year to prove he still has something left.
Wow, the wrong side of 30. Guess all players should just retire once they reach the magic number.
He’s a lefty tho. He’ll get another look b/c of that.
Hate to see anyone suffer this type of setback, but it gives Wood the opportunity for a re-set and sets the stage for a great comeback story next year.
I hope his OF playing career is not over now!
Well at least the royals are still paying him and the padres were able to get rid of him