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I am a freelance writer. I've covered the Cincinnati Reds, Bengals and others since 1992. I have a background in sales as well. I've sold consumer electronics, advertising and consumer package goods for companies ranging from the now defunct Circuit City to Procter&Gamble. I have worked as a stats operator for Xavier University, the University of Cincinnati, the College of Mount St. Joe and Colerain High School.

Tuesday, August 8, 2017

Padres Travis Wood Ready For Anything






Travis Wood doesn’t relax between starts.

He brings his spikes to the bench in case he is needed to pinch hit or pinch run. 

Wood, the former Reds’ starter, who came up through the system with Johnny Cueto and Homer Bailey, was the extra pitcher the Reds’ could move to get the ace reliever they needed at the time, Sean Marshall.

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The left-hander was the Reds’ second pick in the 2005 draft behind Jay Bruce.  Bailey was the first draft choice the year before.

Wood made his debut for the Reds on July 1, 2010 and joined Mike Leake in the rotation that helped the Reds win the National League Central that season.  Wood made 17 starts with a 5-4 record with a 3.51 ERA.

The Reds traded Wood along with Ronald Torreyes and Dave Sappelt for Sean Marshall after the 2011 season. 

Wood made 26, 32 and 31 starts the next three seasons for the Cubs but became a full-time reliever in 2015.  He started nine games but pitched 45 in relief.  Wood appeared in a career-high 77 games for the World Champion Cubs, becoming the teams’ left-handed specialist. He logged just 61 innings.  Ironically, filling the same role Marshall did for the Cubs.  Marshall signed a big contract extension in 2012 and was often injured.

The Bryant, Arkansas native is a good athlete, who fields his position well, has been called upon to pinch run and pinch hit.

Wood is a .182 lifetime hitter with nine home runs, eight doubles and a triple.  He has stolen one base in his only attempt.

The Kansas City Royals signed Wood over the winter off the World Champions roster as a free agent.  He made three starts in 28 appearances for the Royals with a 1-3 record and a 6.91 ERA.

Near the trade deadline, Wood came to the Padres with Matt Strahm and minor leaguer Esteury Ruiz for Trevor Cahill, Ryan Buchter and Brandon Maurer.

With San Diego, Wood was plugged into the starting rotation.  He’s made two starts both against Pittsburgh.  Wood is 1-0 with a 4.91 ERA.

“He wants to win,” his new manager and former Reds’ minor league player, Andy Green said. “Woody’s not afraid of anything.  He wants to win. He’s a competitor.  He is fitting into our clubhouse.  He will compete no matter what kind of stuff he has that day.  He’ll give you everything he’s got. He loves to win baseball games.  He is one of the only pitchers I’ve ever seen that comes spiked up for every game. He’s begging to pinch run; begging to pinch hit; wanting to anything he can to win a baseball game.”





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