Travis Wood Joins KC Bullpen

Days after adding Jason Hammel on a two year, $12 million deal, the Royals have added Travis Wood on a similar contract. A former starter, Wood had his ups and downs in the rotation before really taking well to his first full season in relief last year. Over 77 appearances, he put up a 2.95 ERA and a 1.13 WHIP, allowing just 45 hits in 61 innings. The left hander is much better at getting out lefties, as they hit just .128 against him with two home runs in 32.1 innings last year, than he is with righties, who hit .265 with eight home runs in 28.2 innings. This move may prove especially helpful as fellow lefty Brian Flynn will likely miss the start of the season after falling through the roof of his barn. Kelvin Herrera and Joakim Soria will hold down the back end of the bullpen, while Wood will work some of the middle to later innings with Matt Strahm and possibly Andrew Edwards and Miguel Almonte. For his career, the Arkansas native is 43-52 with a 4.00 ERA and a 1.27 WHIP over 259 games (133 starts).