Left-handed pitcher and Detroit Tigers spring training invitee Travis Wood is already throwing in preparation for the 2018 season. But, due to a gruesome crossbow accident that nearly cost him his right index finger, it may be a while before he can catch or even wear a glove.
Wood suffered the hunting injury a month ago and only got the cast off on Thursday. Unfortunately for him, he still has a pin in his disfigured finger and according to Katie Strang of The Athletic, Wood won’t be able to wear a glove until after a doctor reviews his X-rays to determine if the pin can be removed.
The 31-year-old Little Rock native was preparing to go bow hunting when the mishap occurred, according to team blog BlessYouBoys.com. And as Detroit-based sports writer Chris McCosky reported, Wood’s finger ‘nearly split in two.’
Travis Wood had a difficult season in 2017, but was hoping to make the Tigers roster with a strong spring training before injuring his finger in a cross-bow accident a month ago
As if that wasn’t horrifying enough, Wood actually inquired about amputating part of his finger if it would help him return to the field more quickly, according to MLB.com’s Jason Beck.
The offer is similar to the one famously made by former San Francisco 49ers safety Ronnie Lott, who had the tip of his left pinky amputated after it was crushed in 1985 so that he could be physically ready for the 1986 season.
Detroit Tigers manager Rod Gardenhire had some fun at Beck’s expense.
‘He’s got a split-finger now,’ Gardenhire said, referring to a specific kind of off-speed pitch.
Wood reportedly offered to have part of his finger cut off if it would help him return to the mound faster. For now he is not allowed to wear a glove on his non-throwing hand
Beck is not officially a member of the Tigers yet, but a strong spring training could help him to secure a roster spot if his glove hand can recover.
Wood split the 2017 season between the Kansas City Royals and San Diego Padres and had a 4-7 record and 6.80 ERA over 94 innings with 65 strikeouts in 39 appearances, including 14 starts.
A 2013 National League All-Star, Wood has compiled a 47-59 record with four saves, a 4.26 ERA over 994 innings and 801 strikeouts in 298 career appearances (147 starts) at the major league level.
Wood has made 139 outings, including 136 starts, in the minors with a 45-37 record and 3.55 ERA. He has not pitched in the minors since appearing in seven games with Triple-A Iowa in 2012.
Wood was originally selected by the Cincinnati Reds in the second round of the 2005 draft.