Dodgers News: Daniel Hudson Could Return to LA Bullpen in June
There’s been a lot of cyber ink spilled about Dodgers reliever Daniel Hudson of late. Thankfully, it’s all been for positive reasons. The veteran right-hander began a minor league rehab assignment last week and has made three scoreless appearances since then. According to manager Dave Roberts, Hudson is getting a little antsy and is expected to move on from the rookie level Arizona Complex League and advance to Triple-A shortly.
“Huddy is supposed to go to OKC this week sometime. He’s kind of done using bullets in Arizona. So he wants to ramp up the competition. If that goes well, to expect him at some point this month is hopeful.”
Husdon underwent season ending knee surgery last June and was expected to be ready in time for opening day this year. But discomfort in the surgically repaired joint has kept him sidelined for the first two-plus months of the season.
Reports out of Arizona say the knee is bouncing back better now “I wouldn’t say it’s 100%,” Roberts said, “but I think he’s resolved to the fact that there’s going to be some residual soreness after every outing.” The team ultimately won’t know his long term limitations until he gets into some games consistently.
Roberts conceded there is a fairly big need for Hudson in the bullpen right now, which is quite the understatement.
“He was part of the plan coming into the season, then we had the setback. He’s a high leverage reliever that I think adds a little consistency, some calm to the bullpen. If you look at how things have been going over the first two and half months, that can be pretty helpful.”
More Pitching Help on the Way?
Pitching alongside Hudson is another right-hander on the comeback trail from injury, veteran hurler Jimmy Nelson. The 34-year-old has been sidelined since undergoing Tommy John surgery mid-2021. The Dodgers re-signed the pitcher ahead of the spring this year with an eye on him being an option out of the bullpen early in the season. However, it’s been all setbacks up to this point.
He joined the ACL Dodger rookie ball team over the weekend and has tossed 2 scoreless innings in recent days. If things keep trending in the right direction, he could possibly join the team in July.
