Daniel Hudson Says He Would’ve Been Available for 2023 NLCS
The Los Angeles Dodgers were flat-out embarrassed in last year’s postseason, swept by their division rivals, the Arizona Diamondbacks, during the National League Division Series. The three games were forgettable, and resulted in the aggressive offseason that remade the roster in short order.
The 2023 season is over, but left the Dodgers with a mountain of “what-ifs.” One of the biggest “what-ifs” is their pitching staff.
The Dodgers were depleted in both the starting rotation and their bullpen by the end of last season. The team couldn’t stay healthy to save its life, which played a big role in their demise.
However, their three-game sweep last year did more than end their season. It cost veteran reliever Daniel Hudson a chance to return before the year ended.
According to Mike DiGiovanna of the Los Angeles Times, Hudson was preparing to return from his July knee injury and could’ve been back on the mound if the Dodgers’ season had lasted just a week longer.
“I got close and would have been available for that next round if we got past Arizona. I felt like if I gave my knees a little bit of time to recover in the offseason and we started moving around a little bit, I was going to give it another go.”
— Dodgers pitcher Daniel Hudson, via the Los Angeles Times
Manager Dave Roberts told reporters this week that Hudson will be on the team to start the season. However, DiGiovanna reports that the veteran could begin the season on the injured list, in extended spring training, or on a minor league rehabilitation assignment if he needs more time. His fastball is up to 96 mph in Cactus League play.
Hudson spent an entire year rehabilitating from surgery to repair a torn ligament in his left knee that ended his 2022 season. He returned in 2023, only to sprain a ligament in his right knee, just three appearances into his return.
Hudson has had an injury-riddled career, but he hopes that will change. The 37-year-old has looked great in his spring outings, and hopefully that will continue throughout the year.
Photo Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-USA TODAY Sports
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