It only took two rehab appearances for the Cleveland Indians to feel Kerry Wood is healthy and ready to help the team. Wood, who has been out all year because of a strained right latissimus dorsi muscle was activated from the 15-Day DL yesterday.
Wood was roughed up in his first rehab appearance giving up six runs in two-thirds of an inning, but settled down in his second appearance to pitch a scoreless inning of work. Wood felt he was ready after his second appearance and if a 6′5″, 220 lb Texan says he is ready, I’ll take his word for it.
I am guessing Wood will go back to being the full-time closer in Cleveland right away with Chris Perez moving into an eigth-inning setup man role. Perez, I would say was “fair” filling in for Wood. He has given up three earned runs, struck out five, and has a 2.89 ERA in 9.1 IP this season.
Walks are still an issue for Perez. It’s hard to be reliable when you are walking six guys every 6.1 innings.
If Wood can prove he is healthy and pitch decent for the Tribe, he will become prime trade bait in July.
For a fantasy spin on Wood, I would treat Wood as a low-end No. 2 closer. He might be a source of some cheap saves here and there, but won’t get enough chances on a consistent basis to have a major impact on your team.
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