He played in Major League Baseball (MLB) for the Cincinnati Reds, Chicago Cubs, Kansas City Royals, and San Diego Padres.

Born and raised in Little Rock, Arkansas, Wood attended Bryant High School where he starred in baseball and football.

During his junior season, Wood also led Bryant to a state championship, and was Arkansas Gatorade Player of the Year in 2004 and 2005.

[1] The Cincinnati Reds selected Wood 60th overall in the 2005 Major League Baseball draft out of Bryant High School.

Wood held batters to a .166 batting average, struck out 67, and pitched 47+2⁄3 innings, including 17+2⁄3 scoreless over his first six appearances.

Allowing just 16 earned runs on 78 hits and 37 walks, he also stuck out 103 batters and hitters batted only .189 off the lefty.

In a crowded race featuring veterans Mike Lincoln and Justin Lehr, young arms Micah Owings and Matt Maloney, and prospects Sam LeCure, Aroldis Chapman, and Mike Leake, Wood came down to the last two but was cut in favor of Leake.

On June 30, Wood was called up from Triple-A Louisville replacing Daniel Ray Herrera on the Reds active roster [3] Wood made his major league debut on July 1, 2010, versus the Chicago Cubs at Wrigley Field, getting a no decision in an eventual 3–2 Reds victory.

In his third career start, versus the Philadelphia Phillies at Citizens Bank Park on July 10, 2010, Wood flirted with a perfect game, pitching eight flawless innings before surrendering a double to Phillies catcher Carlos Ruiz in the bottom of the ninth inning.

On December 21, 2011, Wood was traded to the Chicago Cubs, along with outfielder Dave Sappelt and a minor league second baseman Ronald Torreyes in exchange for left-handed reliever Sean Marshall.

[4] Wood was called up to the major league club in early May 2012 after Chris Volstad was demoted to Iowa because of his 0–6 start.

On May 30, 2013, Wood hit his first career grand slam off of Jake Peavy in an 8–3 victory over the Chicago White Sox.

[5] Wood competed in spring training for a rotation spot but was ultimately moved to the bullpen to begin the season.

On July 24, 2017, the Royals traded Wood, Matt Strahm, and Esteury Ruiz to the San Diego Padres for Trevor Cahill, Ryan Buchter, and Brandon Maurer.