L.A. turns to Wood in Kershaw's absence

work harder.”

Wood has had to do just that, having missed nearly four months last year after surgery to correct an impingement in his left elbow. He was limited to 14 appearances, including 10 starts. He went 1-4 with a 3.73 ERA.

Wood began this season in the Dodgers' bullpen. He was on the disabled list with inflammation of the SC joint in his left shoulder and didn't make a start from May 26 to June 10.

After that, roll.

Wood rarely shows his emotions, aside from an occasional fist pump, which has impressed catcher Yasmani Grandal. He cites Wood's “determination to do what he's trying to do out there on the mound, never getting too up or too down, and staying steady the whole first half ” as keys to the youngster's success.

Atlanta Braves bullpen coach Marty Reed oversaw Wood when he was pitching coach at Triple-A Gwinnett in 2013 and ‘14.

“He's a really great guy, really easygoing, but, man, he's a shark on the mound, a killer on the mound,” Reed said. “He wants to go after you. When you see him doing it in competition you know, ‘This guy's different.’ ”

Future Atlanta teammate Mike Foltynewicz thought the same thing when he caught Wood pitching on TV in 2014. Wood was in his second season starting for the Braves against the Dodgers' Zack Greinke in Los Angeles.

Wood held the Dodgers to six hits and one run over seven innings, leaving with the game tied 1-all. The Braves ended up losing 3-2, but Foltynewicz knew he had seen something special.

“He's got all the tools and he's putting it together,” he said. “His funky windup brings a lot to the table. He's very deceptive. He's got a sneaky fastball, a great changeup, a good curveball. It's awesome to see what he's doing.”

Wood spent parts of his first three seasons in the majors with the Braves, who drafted him out of Georgia. he began his unbeaten