The Los Angeles Dodgers transferred Daniel Hudson to the 60-day injured list as he continues to recover from an ACL tear in his left knee suffered last June. The move made room to add Luke Williams to the 40-man roster, as he was recalled to replace Mookie Betts while he is on paternity leave.
Hudson was originally placed on the 15-day IL to begin the season and the initial hope was that he would return near the end of April.
The 36-year-old has been throwing bullpen sessions and pitching to hitters while at Camelback Ranch, but dealt with continued knee pain and right ankle tendinitis, which caused the Dodgers to slow down his progression. After being transferred to the 60-day IL, Hudson is now sidelined until June.
“It just hasn’t gotten better,” Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said. “I don’t know if it’s like the patella tendonitis kind of from the surgery, which I think is going to get better, which is good. The surgery was successful and all that stuff, so just getting over the hump is taking more time. In general, we do expect him to be back and ready to go.”
Hudson went 2-3 with a 2.22 ERA, 2.05 FIP and 0.90 WHIP over 25 games prior to the knee injury last season, and he was expected to be an important piece for the bullpen in 2023. If he returns this season, Hudson should take over in a high-leverage role, and potentially as the team’s primary closer.
The Dodgers signed him to a one-year contract extension at the end of the 2022 season that included a club option for 2024.
Dodgers bullpen without Daniel Hudson
Although a Dodgers closer has not officially been named this season, the role essentially belongs to Evan Phillips and to a lesser extent, Brusdar Graterol as well.
However, Hudson was believed by many to be the relief pitcher who would get the bulk of save opportunities once he returned. That in turn would allow for Phillips to take on the fireman role he was so successful in last year.
But with Hudson’s timeline for a return pushed back, it’s appears likely the Dodgers will continue to attempt saving Phillips for potential save situations.
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