Dodgers Star Alex Wood Retires After 12 MLB Seasons

LOS ANGELES, CA — Alex Wood, a veteran pitcher who spent 12 seasons in Major League Baseball, retired on Friday. The 34-year-old made the announcement in a heartfelt statement, reflecting on his career and the sacrifices he made in pursuit of the game.

“For over half my life, every decision I’ve made has centered around how it would impact my baseball career,” Wood said. He added, “I’ve given every ounce of myself in pursuit of my lifelong dream of becoming a big leaguer. Playing 12 years in the show, reaching 7 postseasons, winning a World Series, and earning an All-Star selection — I never could’ve imagined it would turn out this way.”

Wood retires with a career record of 77 wins and 68 losses, along with a 3.78 ERA. He played for several teams including the Atlanta Braves, Los Angeles Dodgers, Cincinnati Reds, San Francisco Giants, and Oakland Athletics. His Major League debut came with the Braves in 2013. In that season, he made 31 appearances, including 11 starts, after being drafted from the University of Georgia.

In 2017, Wood had the best season of his career, winning 16 games and posting a 2.72 ERA, a performance highlighted by his ability to outsmart opposing batters. However, in 2022 and 2023, his performance declined, ending with a 5-5 record in his final season.

Wood helped the Dodgers win their first World Series championship in 32 years in 2020, contributing significantly in the postseason. Despite injuries in his later years, Wood remained a beloved teammate. “To all my teammates, coaches, and staff — it was an honor to chase the dream with you for so long,” he wrote in his retirement statement.