Introduction
Blake Daniel Wood (born August 8, 1985) is an American professional baseball pitcher for the Cincinnati Reds of Major League Baseball (MLB). He previously played in MLB for the Kansas City Royals and Cleveland Indians.
Early life
Prior to playing professionally, he attended North Gwinnett High School and then Georgia Tech. In the summer of 2004, Wood pitched in the Alaska Baseball League for the Anchorage Bucs, and in the summer of 2005 played in the Cape Cod League for the Y-D Red Sox.
Professional career
Kansas City Royals
Wood was drafted in the third round of the 2006 Major League Baseball Draft by the Royals, and he began his professional career that season. Playing for the Idaho Falls Chukars, he went 3-1 with a 4.50 ERA in 12 starts.
He pitched for three teams in 2007 - the AZL Royals (0-0, 0.00 ERA in four starts), the Burlington Bees (2-1, 3.03 ERA in seven starts) and the Wilmington Blue Rocks (0-1, 4.66 ERA in two starts) - going a combined 2-2 with a 2.78 ERA in 13 starts.
In 2008, Wood pitched for the Blue Rocks (3-2, 2.67 ERA in 10 starts) and Northwest Arkansas Naturals (5-7, 5.30 ERA in 18 starts), going a combined 8-9 with a 4.25 ERA in 28 starts. In 144 innings, he allowed only 128 hits.
Though he spent three games (two starts) with the AZL Royals in 2009, he spent most of the season with the Naturals, going 2-8 with a 5.83 ERA in 17 games (13 starts) with them. Overall, he went 2-9 with a 5.55 ERA in 2009.
Wood made his MLB debut for the Royals on May 12, 2010. Wood went 6-6 with a 4.30 ERA in 106 appearances in two seasons with the Royals.
On May 18, 2012, it was announced that Wood's 2012 season has ended due to a torn UCL in his right elbow, requiring Tommy John surgery.
Cleveland Indians
On November 2, 2012, Wood was claimed off waivers by the Cleveland Indians. Wood was activated from the 60-day disabled list on July 14, 2013, and optioned to the Triple-A Columbus Clippers.
On December 2, 2013, Wood signed a one-year Major League deal for 2014 with the Indians, avoiding arbitration.
On May 26, 2014 the Indians designated Wood for assignment.
Return to Kansas City
On June 2, 2014, Wood was claimed off waivers by the Kansas City Royals. He was designated for assignment on September 1, 2014. Wood elected free agency in October 2014.
Pittsburgh Pirates
Wood signed a minor league deal with the Pittsburgh Pirates on November 18, 2014. He was named a Triple-A All-Star with the Indianapolis Indians.
Cincinnati Reds
On November 20, 2015, Wood signed a one-year deal with the Cincinnati Reds.