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Tigers' Travis Wood nearly lost finger in offseason crossbow accident

Denis Poroy / Getty Images Sport / Getty

It could have been a whole lot worse for Detroit Tigers southpaw Travis Wood.

The 31-year-old, who joined the Tigers on a minor-league contract last month, almost came to camp without one of his fingers. He did arrive on Wednesday with both hands intact, but had a splint on his right hand thanks to a serious crossbow incident.

Wood told reporters, including MLive's Evan Woodberry, that he injured his right index finger as he prepared to go hunting with a crossbow almost four weeks ago. The incident nearly forced doctors to amputate at least part of the injured finger on his non-throwing hand.

"When I went to put the arrow in, it just went off when it wasn't supposed to. The string went through the finger," Wood said. "It was broken in two places and almost went all the way through."

Fortunately for Wood and the Tigers, his index finger remains in place and the splint will be removed on Thursday, according to Chris McCosky of the Detroit News.

Wood is hoping to put both the near amputation and a career-worst 2017 season behind him as he tries to crack the Tigers' Opening Day roster. After starring in relief for the world champion Chicago Cubs in 2016, he posted an inflated 6.80 ERA across 39 appearances (14 starts) last season that were split between the Kansas City Royals and San Diego Padres.

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