Dodgers News: Alex Wood Progressing from Shoulder Inflammation

Alex Wood started game three of the season for the Dodgers before shoulder inflammation shut him down soon after. Now, according to manager Dave Roberts, he’s progressing and getting closer to returning to the active roster.

Alex Wood will throw a 3-inning sim game today, then a bullpen session at the end of the week, followed by a 4-inning sim game. So, he could be 10 days away or more before activation.

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— Ken Gurnick (@kengurnick) August 18, 2020

Here’s more from Dave.

It went pretty well. He went three innings, got through it. I thought the stuff was fine. There’s a little bit of trying to get loose after the second inning…There’s normal soreness, but he’s at the secondary site playing catch.

So what comes next?

As we sit here right now, the plan is for him to throw a four-inning simulated game on Monday, so that’s positive.

Of course, Woody adds another talented arm to the rotation mix for the Dodgers. A day after tossing 6 shutout innings, right-hander Tony Gonsolin was once again shipped back to the alternate site. The reasoning? More bullpen help.

While the Dodgers have been at or near the top of MLB team ERA all season, the starting rotation hasn’t necessarily been an area of dominance. In fact, starters have struggled to pitch into the sixth inning and beyond. Walker Buehler has an ERA over 5 and arms like Ross Stripling and Julio Urias have been putting their team behind early in games leaving many to wonder who could move out of the rotation first. But Roberts has said recently that each of their spots are secure for the time being. 

Gonsolin has earned an extended stay in the rotation (14.2 scoreless IP in 2020) the same way Dustin May has essentially earned a permanent role with his 5 solid starts. But Alex Wood came to LA to start which leaves some difficult decisions ahead for Doc and company.

NEXT: Julio Urías Will Remain in the Starting Rotation For Now