When Aaron Harang and Gavin Floyd got through their latest starts without too much difficulty, the writing was on the wall. Alex Wood would be moving to the bullpen -- and for more than just a one-turn deal.
That start he was scheduled to make against the Cardinals Saturday? Canceled. And just to drive home the point, the Braves brought him in for an extended (and mostly ineffective) relief appearance Wednesday at San Francisco.
But just because he's out now doesn't mean he's out forever -- or even for long. Harang's performance is still too good to be true, given the way the last six seasons have gone for him, and Floyd wasn't exactly cotending for Cy Youngs before having Tommy John surgery, compiling a 4.20 ERA since the start of the 2009 season.
The Braves view Wood as a starter long-term, so even though they're hoping to limit his innings now, they'll face this same problem again next year if they don't let him accumulate them at some point.
One way or another, I think he finds his way back in the rotation sooner than later, and knowing how effective he can be as a starter, you wouldn't want someone else to benefit from it.