Dodgers Injury News: RHP Daniel Hudson Has ‘Outside’ Chance of Returning in 2023
Daniel Hudson pitched three games in the 2023 season before injuring his right MCL. It was a devastating blow for the pitcher and the Dodgers who were relying on him being a weapon for the team through the second half of the season and into the playoffs.
In a recent conversation with Mike DiGiovanna of the Los Angeles Times, Hudson revealed there’s only an “outside chance” of that happening now.
The veteran reliever started physical therapy last week and is trying to make his way back from his second major knee injury in as many years.
In June 2022 while pitching against the Atlanta Braves, Hudson tore the ACL in his left knee. Before the season-ending season injury, he was terrific for the Dodgers, posting a 2.22 ERA in 25 appearances.
This spring training Hudson was slowed by ankle tendonitis along with some lingering issues with his surgically repaired left knee. He couldn’t return to join the team until late June. In his last relief appearance, he scorelessly worked out of a bases-loaded jam to preserve a much-needed victory against the Pittsburgh Pirates.
The next day Hudson went on the IL with a sprained MCL.
Before he can return to the major league mound, Hudson must heal the knee and strengthen the entire knee to prevent another knee injury. After he gets the knee healthy, he must get his valuable right arm ready. In other words, Hudson is running out of time to get his physical therapy, a throwing program, and a rehab assignment done before the season, including the postseason, ends.
It’s another injury woe for the pitcher who’s experienced far too many over the course of his 15 years as a professional.
“That’s kind of the bitter irony in all of this,” Hudson told DiGiovanna. “I had all the arm troubles at the beginning of my career. If you told someone that I’d throw, like, 13,000 pitches in the big leagues, and my knees would be the thing that takes me out, it’s kind of a sick joke. But at this point, it is what it is.”
Via LA Times
If Hudson can return and be an effective reliever, he would be a huge boost to the Dodger bullpen.
Photo Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-USA TODAY Sports
