Wood, who suffered a lower back strain in spring training, felt back soreness.
“He’s a little sore, so we’re trying to figure out the next step,” Reds manager David Bell told reporters in Los Angeles, where the Reds were playing the Angels. “Hopefully, it’s just a minor setback.”
Wood made one start in spring training Feb. 25 but then was scratched from his next start because of back pain. He suffered a setback in March, and the Reds announced then he would start the season on the injured list. Bell expected him back in mid-April at that point.
» TORNADO RELIEF: Reds, Indians raise money
However, progress for Wood slowed in April and May. He began a throwing program at the spring training complex in Goodyear, Ariz., in late May.
“It’s been pretty frustrating,” Wood said in June. “You come to a new place, and you know some of the guys. You’ve played against a lot of the guys over the years. Anytime you’re the new face in the clubhouse, you want to come in and try to have an impact and become friends with the guys. They already know what you can do, but there’s something about getting started with that team and proving and showing you’re here to win games and help this team accomplish everything they want to accomplish. So not being able to do that out of the gate has definitely taken a toll mentally. Those days are a little behind me. I’m looking forward to getting back out there and being able to contribute.”
About the Author
