In 1961, Wood attended spring training with the Red Sox for the first time. In his first inning of work, he struck out three San Francisco Giants hitters, prompting the "Boston Globe" to declare that he would have "spectacular success" in his career. Sent to the Class B Winston-Salem Red Sox to begin the season, he posted an 8–5 record with a 3.15 ERA, 103 strikeouts, 33 walks, and 99 hits allowed in innings pitched. Having trouble with their attendance numbers, the Red Sox promoted the young Wood to the major leagues in the middle of June. He made his major league debut at Fenway Park on June 30, allowing three hits and two runs while striking out three over the final four innings of a 10–2 loss to the Cleveland Indians. In the second game of a July 19 doubleheader, he made his first major league start (also against Cleveland), allowing three runs in three innings but not getting the decision in an eventual 9–8 defeat. He appeared in six games (one start) for the Red Sox, posting no record, a 5.54 ERA, seven strikeouts, seven walks, and 14 hits allowed in 14 innings before getting sent back to the minors in late July, this time to the Johnstown Red Sox of the Class A Eastern League. Wood did not pitch well, losing seven of 10 decisions and posting a 4.62 ERA with 44 strikeouts, 15 walks, and 80 hits allowed in 74 innings.