SPRINGING INTO ACTION
WOOD BEGINS KEY YEAR; MONTERO HAS 2 HITS IN DEFEAT
MARYVALE, Ariz. — Travis Wood has seen it all when it comes to the Cubs’ organizational overhaul under president Theo Epstein.
He was acquired in Epstein’s second trade with the Cubs — a week before the Anthony Rizzo trade — before the 2012 season. And he’s now the longest tenured player in the clubhouse, having made his debut more than amonth before Rizzo did.
“It’s definitely been something to see over the years, especially when you look back and see how many players we ran through in those first couple of years,” said Wood, who started the Cubs’ spring training opener Thursday, a 2-1 loss to the Milwaukee Brewers. “And now to have a pretty solid team is nice.”
Wood’s career has undergone almost as many changes in that span, bringing him to what might be the biggest crossroads year of his career. He’s playing a significant role for a World Series favorite in his final season before free agency.
“I think he’s going to get better,” said manager Joe Maddon, who moved Wood from the rotation to the bullpen last May. ‘‘He’s a better pitcher. He knows himself better.”
Not that anybody knows where Wood will be this time next year or in what role.
And not that evenWood was certain he’d be back this season.
“It could have went either way,” he said. “Just the fact that I’m here on this team, I’m giving it everything I can.”
Wood, 29, is one of four ex-starting pitchers likely to be in a seven- or eight-man pen, including two former All-Star starters (Wood and Trevor Cahill).
“It’s an unusual group in the most positiveway possible, with the variety of multiple-inning guys that are also capable of closing games if you wanted them to and could also start games if you wanted them to,” Maddon said.
Perhaps none has proved more versatile thanWood.
“If that’s my role going in, I’ll try to do as best I can,” saidWood, who gave up a run Thursday in two innings after a leadoff triple in the first. “I’ll try to take it whenever they need me and come out and give them everything I’ve got.”
But it’s also no secret he wants the chance to startmore games this year. “I hope so,” he said, adding that his preparation for the season is based on that mindset. “But then again, we’ll see where it takes us.”
In 2013, he had a 3.11 ERA and 24 quality starts. In the National League, only Clayton Kershaw, AdamWainwright and Cole Hamels had more.
Does he still consider himself a starter?
“Inmy mind, yes,” he said, before repeating what appears to be his mantra this year. “But really wherever they put me, I’m going to take the ball and give you everything I’ve got.”
All Maddon knows is, “I’m very excited to have him back.
“I’m certain there’s a part of him that wants to be a starter even if he’s not going to concede it or say it loudly,” Maddon added. “But he also understands what a great job he did last year in the longevity [he provided] in the game. He knows how much I appreciate what he does and how he does it.”