Alex Wood moved across the Bay to the A’s over the winter in part because he wanted to show he’s still got what it takes to be a starting pitcher.
Tuesday, the 33-year-old left-hander was named Opening Day starter for the first time in his 12-year big league career.
Wood had been almost exclusively a starter during his career, including his first two seasons with the Giants. But last season, 17 of his 29 appearances with San Francisco were as a swing reliever, entering games anywhere from the second to the ninth inning.
Wood told reporters earlier in camp that the opportunity to be a starter was a big factor in choosing to sign the A’s.
“The biggest thing was the opportunity to start every fifth day,” Wood told this news organization earlier in camp. “Also, it’s nice to be wanted.”
Tuesday’s news was about as big of a vote of confidence a starting pitcher can receive. As a result , Wood will be on the mound at the Coliseum on March 28 when the A’s open the season against the Cleveland Guardians and their new manager, former A’s All-Star Stephen Vogt.
Wood, an All-Star with the Dodgers in 2017, pitched exclusively as a starter during his first two seasons with the Giants, playing a key role in the team’s 107-win season in 2021 when he went 10-4 with a 3.83 ERA. He opened last season in the Giants rotation as well and had a 1.80 ERA after three starts before suffering a hamstring injury. Wood never got untracked upon his return and after six inconsistent starts moved into the swing reliever role. He made just three starts after June 22.
In three Cactus League appearances with the A’s, he’s logged a 4.76 ERA, with 13 strikeouts in 11.1 innings.
Wood will be the sixth different pitcher in seven seasons to start on Opening Day for the A’s. Kyle Muller handled the honor last season, joining Frankie Montas (2022 and ‘20), Chris Bassitt (2021), Mike Fiers (2019) and Kendall Graveman (2018) in recent seasons.
The A’s, coming off consecutive 100-loss seasons for the first time in Oakland franchise history, viewed Wood as a potential stabilizing influence for the rotation. Over 12 seasons his career record is 76-65 with a 3.74 ERA. His $8.5 million, one-year deal is the second-highest salary on the team, second to fellow starter Ross Stripling ($9.25 million.)
The A’s tied a MLB record by using 24 different starting pitchers last season, but enter the season with four veterans in the rotation: Wood, Stripling, JP Sears and Paul Blackburn. The No. 5 spot appears likely to go to rookies Joe Boyle or Mitch Spence.
