Countdown to Spring Training: LHP Travis Wood
2/1/2018
Former Chicago Cubs pitcher Travis Wood watches batting practice during a team workout during the 2016 playoffs. He signed a minor-league deal with Detroit this week.
The Tigers will open spring training on Feb. 13, which means baseball season is coming. Here is a daily look at players with possible ties to the 2018 Mud Hens, whose home opener is set for April 12 against Pawtucket.
LHP Travis Wood
History: On Monday the Tigers signed Wood to a minor-league contract with an invitation to spring training. An eight-year major-league veteran who will turn 31 on Feb. 6, he split time last season between Kansas City (1-3, 6.91 ERA) and San Diego (3-4, 6.71 ERA). Wood spent two seasons with Cincinnati and five with the Chicago Cubs; his best big-league season came with the Cubs in 2013, when he was a National League All-Star and posted a 9-12 record but a 3.11 ERA.
Future: Primarily a starter early in his major-league career, Wood has been used as a swingman in recent seasons. That ability to both start and relieve makes him an attractive bullpen option for Detroit, or a starter for the Mud Hens that provides pitching depth in the organization.
Click here for a full list of Mud Hens spring training bios.
Contact John Wagner at jwagner@theblade.com, 419-724-6481, or on Twitter @jwagnerblade.