Dodgers: Giving Alex Wood a Look off the Waiver Wire

By Brad Kelly | Apr 21, 2017

Apr 10, 2017; Chicago, IL, USA; Los Angeles Dodgers starting pitcher Alex Wood (57) delivers a pitch during the first inning against the Chicago Cubs at Wrigley Field. Mandatory Credit: Dennis Wierzbicki-USA TODAY Sports /

Alex Wood is pitching well for the Dodgers this season. Now back in the rotation, could fantasy owners five him a look off the waiver wire?

The Dodgers seemingly can never get their full pitching staff intact. Injuries have ravaged the rotation for the last few seasons, most notably with Rich Hill and his continual blister drama. With the blister issue not going away and Julio Urias still getting ready in the minors, Alex Wood is going to be inserted back into the rotation.

Wood is known for his funky delivery and early success with the Braves. But, his time with the Dodgers has been marred by injuries and his fantasy value has been limited due to him being primarily used out of the bullpen.

Wood was pitching well for the Dodgers last season before his elbow flared up in May and he would not return until September. he finished with a 3.73 ERA/1.260 WHIP/66 K over 60 innings and 10 starts.

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Coming into the 2017 season, the Dodgers had a ton of possible starters, but nearly every one of them had a question mark attached to them.

Wood would not make the rotation out of the gates but would get thrust into a spot start against the Cubs the second week of the season. He gave up one run over three innings while striking out four.

The walks were an issue, he had five versus Chicago. But, when he was used over the middle three innings versus the Diamondbacks, he walked none while fanning three.

The encouraging part of Wood’s arsenal is that he has seen a near 3 mph increase in his velocity on his fastball/sinker. Working out of the bullpen and presumably the healthiest he has been in a while, the uptick in velocity is a great sign. That uptick offers a 9 mph speed difference between his fastball and change-up and an 11 mph difference with his curve.

Wood has been lights out to RHH and LHH as well. Righties have only a .167 AVG and one XBH off of him, and he has yet to surrender a hit to a lefty all season.

His next start comes against the D’Backs on Friday. Between Hill’s constant blisters and everyone in the rotation not named Kershaw getting off to a slow start on the mound, Wood has a shot to pitch himself into a rotation spot if he can pitch well.

Next: Giants Madison Bumgarner: Lands on the D.L.

The funky delivery, velocity uptick and decent command so far, are well worth an add off the wire if he pitches well versus Arizona. Give him a look on the wire.

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