61 Hunter Wood RP

Wood is expected to serve as the opening pitcher Monday against the Royals, Juan Toribio of The Athletic Tampa Bay reports.

Wood figures to pitch a couple of innings before giving way to Ryan Yarbrough, who is expected to cover the bulk of innings. The 25-year-old owns a 4.10 ERA through 26.1 innings this season (16 appearances, seven starts).

Wood allowed three runs in Thursday's two-inning start, yielding five hits and a walk while striking out just one in the 5-4 win over Baltimore. He took the no-decision.

Wood had been solid when opening games for Tampa Bay prior to Thursday, allowing just two runs in his previous five starts. He allowed a two-run triple to Joey Rickard before Austin Wynns knocked him in with a single in the second inning. Thankfully, Wood was able to force a double play to limit the damage in the inning. His season ERA is now at 4.07 across 24.1 frames this season.

Wood will start Thursday's game against the Orioles, Bill Plunkett of The Orange County Register reports.

Wood allowed one run on two hits and two walks while striking out three over 1.2 innings in his previous start. Through five starts this season, the 24-year-old owns a 2.16 ERA and 15:4 K:BB across 8.1 innings.

Wood will be the game opener for Sunday's game against the White Sox, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports.

Wood struck out five over two innings in his previous opener and sports an 11.3 K/9 over 20.2 innings.

Wood didn't factor into the decision, as he tossed two scoreless innings while allowing one hit and striking out five Thursday against Los Angeles.

Wood appeared sharp in his fourth opening performance of the 2018 campaign, recording a season-high five strikeouts. He's posted a 3.05 ERA and 1.35 WHIP with 26 strikeouts across 20.2 innings, and he should be deployed in mid-to-high leverage situations moving forward.