LOS ANGELES — In a perfect world, Alex Wood would have made 25 to 30 starts this season, pitched well enough to stay in the rotation for the Dodgers’ postseason run and re-established his status as a desirable free agent at age 30 this winter.
This is far from a perfect world.
Instead, a pandemic shortened the season to 60 games and Wood made just one unsteady start before going on the injured list for five weeks with a sore shoulder. He returned this week to find himself shunted once again into a relief role with youngsters Tony Gonsolin and Dustin May making starts down the stretch.
“I’m not frustrated in any sense of the word,” Wood said Wednesday. “To be honest, after what I kind of went through last year and then having the horrible timing of having some shoulder stuff crop up — I feel healthy now.”
Wood was limited to seven starts with the Cincinnati Reds last season due to a back injury. He found a new old home with the Dodgers, signing a one-year, $4 million contract loaded with incentive bonuses that he will be unable to reach now.
But he thinks a healthy month pitching out of the bullpen — and whatever the postseason brings — will be enough to arm him for another foray into free agency in the offseason.
“I’ll be able to show plenty out of the ‘pen down the stretch,” he said. “People know what I can do when I’m healthy and I think I’ll easily show that down the stretch. From the bottom of my heart, I came back here to win a World Series. That’s why I came here. There’s plenty of other places I could have gone that were safer choices for me as far as my personal future and being able to stick in the rotation. But I’ve invested a lot in the city of L.A., in this organization. … I’m super excited to feel good and be able to contribute in whatever way I can and hopefully get across the finish line so we can hoist the trophy up after all this.”
Wood said he understands the decision to go with Gonsolin in the rotation.
“I think you look at Tony — Tony is a hell of a pitcher,” Wood said. “He’s thrown great in a short time up here this season. His stuff is off the charts and he’s gonna be a big part of the future for the L.A. Dodgers.
“And so, you just have to support the decision that they made to go forward and keep him in the rotation. … He’s a sponge, man, and he’s got a really bright future. So I’m excited for him. … I just want to win a World Series. So if that’s how they want to move forward, that’s how we’re gonna move forward.”
CLOSING TIME
Dodgers closer Kenley Jansen was named the National League Reliever of the Month for August. Jansen converted eight saves in nine opportunities during the month, holding hitters to a .128 average (5 for 39) with 19 strikeouts in 11 2/3 innings.
Jansen’s first save of September (Tuesday night against the Arizona Diamondbacks) was his NL-leading 10th of the season and 311th of his career, moving him past Hall of Famer Goose Gossage and into 24th place on the all-time list.
MORE RELIEF
According to Dodgers manager Dave Roberts, both Pedro Baez (groin) and Joe Kelly (shoulder) threw bullpen sessions Tuesday and are progressing in their return from the IL. Baez is scheduled to throw another bullpen session Thursday and then throw to hitters possibly Sunday. Kelly is on a similar progression.
“I think he and Petey — some time late next week makes sense,” Roberts said of possible return dates.
Kelly will have to serve his five-game suspension immediately after activation from the IL. The original eight-game suspension was reduced to five after Kelly appealed.
ALSO
Cody Bellinger was out of the starting lineup for a second consecutive game Wednesday due to a sore lat muscle behind his right shoulder. “We’re going to give him another day,” Roberts said. “Our hope is to get him back in there tomorrow.” …
Lefty reliever Scott Alexander was optioned to the alternate training site in order to clear a roster spot for Walker Buehler to come off the IL on Wednesday. Alexander is 2-0 with a 2.92 ERA in 13 appearances for the Dodgers this season.
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