The Detroit Tigers will likely be without pitcher Travis Wood for the entire season.
On Thursday, Tigers left-hander Travis Wood tore his ACL and medial meniscus, according to Jason Beck of MLB.com. Unfortunately, his season is now most likely finished.
The injury happened during a Grapefruit League game against the Braves. Fielding a comeback grounder, Wood threw the ball to second base in an attempt to catch the runner between second and third. After throwing the ball, Wood fell and appeared to be in severe pain.
Travis Wood suffered a torn ACL and medial meniscus yesterday, the Tigers announced. Weighing surgical options at the moment.
— Jason Beck (@beckjason) March 2, 2018
Wood signed a minor league contract with the Tigers in January and was expected to be one of several candidates competing for a spot in their rotation. Thursday’s exhibition game marked Wood’s debut, as he was just cleared to pitch after recovering from a broken index finger.
The 31-year-old pitcher has previously played for the Cincinnati Reds, Chicago Cubs, Kansas City Royals and San Diego Padres. He’s pitched as a starter and out of the bullpen during different periods throughout his career.
Last season, he played for both the Royals and Padres, going 4-7 with a 6.80 ERA over 94 innings pitched. Though he’s struggled in recent years, Wood’s versatility and ability to start or come out of the bullpen gives teams added depth.
Over the course of his eight-year career, 2016 was the only season in which he did not start any games. He was used exclusively in the bullpen that year for the Chicago Cubs. It was one of Wood’s better seasons, pitching 61 innings of relief and recording a 2.95 ERA en route to a World Series championship.
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By signing with the Tigers, Wood was reunited with former pitching coach Chris Bosio. It was the Tigers’ hope that he could get Wood back on track. The left-hander will become a free agent again after this season.