Blake Wood Underwent An MRI Exam And Now Seeking Second Opinion

Less than a week after learning that they would lose right-hander Keynan Middleton to season-ending Tommy John surgery, the Angels received more bad news about another key reliever.

Wood, 32, was originally placed on the disabled list with a right elbow posterior impingement on April 23, but he appeared to be on the verge of rejoining the Angels after making three rehab appearances with Class A Advanced Inland Empire last week.

Still, the Angels were concerned about how Wood was recovering between outings, which prompted them to order the MRI that showed the damaged UCL.

Wood had been one of the Angels’ steadiest back-end relievers prior to the injury, logging a 2.31 ERA over 11 2/3 innings in 13 appearances this season.

He is the third Angels pitcher to suffer a UCL injury this season, joining right-hander JC Ramirez and Middleton, who was scheduled to have his Tommy John surgery performed Tuesday by Dr.

The loss of Wood and Middleton has created a bit of a void at the back end of the Angels’ bullpen, which has posted a 5.37 ERA in May, the third-highest mark in the Majors.

Zack Cozart sparked some debate Sunday after coming out strongly against the Rays’ decision to start right-handed reliever Sergio Romo in back-to-back games in their series against the Angels over the weekend.

I just don’t want to get where guys aren’t getting paid as much because there’s a ton of bullpen guys coming in one after another, and then all of the sudden there’s one or two guys on the staff who start.” Scioscia said that the Angels are expecting Shohei Ohtani to make his next pitching appearance Sunday against the Yankees in New York.

Several notable Angels prospects have received promotions: Outfielder Jo Adell, the Angels’ first-round Draft pick in 2017