Dodgers News: Daniel Hudson Not Ready to Make Decision on Potential Return in 2025
Daniel Hudson contemplated retirement last year.
Ultimately, he chose to sign a minor league contract to rejoin the Dodgers, securing a $2 million guarantee in the process.
But, at 37 years old, he has faced significant challenges, including two elbow surgeries and knee operations over the past two years.
Despite these setbacks, he has emerged as one of the most overlooked signings from the Dodgers’ “billion-dollar offseason,” and his thoughts about retirement aren’t officially made up.
“I’m just trying to get through this — get through today,” Hudson said this week. “We’ll cross that bridge when we get there. I’m just trying to get through today and help this team get another win.”
Hudson has become a staple in the Dodgers bullpen during the 2024 season. He finished the regular season 6-2 with a 3.00 earned run average and has only allowed four hits in 3.1 innings during the postseason.
The right-hander entered free agency this offseason but opted to return to the Dodgers on a minor league deal rather than wait for the possibility of a major league contract.
“Once I figured out that I wanted to give it another shot, I only wanted to come back here,” Hudson said at the beginning of the season.
“I felt like this organization has really taken good care of me and my family the last couple of years and they didn’t have to,” Hudson added. “I feel like I kind of owe it to them to try to hold my side of the bargain because I feel like I kind of let some people down here in the last couple years, even though it obviously hasn’t been my fault. (Now), I’m just trying to help us win a World Series.”
Hudson underwent Tommy John surgery in 2012. During his recovery and while working his way back to the majors, he suffered a second UCL tear in his right elbow, necessitating another Tommy John procedure in 2013. He made his return in 2014, beginning the second phase of his career as a relief pitcher.
This journey has included two separate tenures with the Dodgers, first in 2018 and then during the 2022-23 seasons.
Photo Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-Imagn Images
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