Daniel Hudson returned to the Los Angeles Dodgers bullpen this year after missing the second half of the 2022 season due to a torn anterior cruciate ligament (ACL).
However, the veteran right-hander appeared in only three games before a medial collateral ligament (MCL) sprain in his right knee ended his season.
Hudson sustained the knee injury while converting a save against the Pittsburgh Pirates on July 5. He loaded the bases with nobody out before escaping the jam without allowing a run.
Hudson threw in multiple simulated games during his recovery in hopes of potentially returning down the stretch, but such would have only been possible if the Dodgers advanced to the National League Championship Series.
Hudson isn’t sure if he will attempt a comeback next season, but the Dodgers are expected to decline his $6.5 million team option for 2024, via Fabian Ardaya of The Athletic:
The 36-year-old said Wednesday he remains undecided on his future, though it is probably unlikely that the Dodgers will pick up his $6.5 million option.
Considering he has thrown just 27.1 innings over the last two seasons, the Dodgers declining Hudson’s $6.5 million option for next year would seem to be a no-brainer.
However, if the soon-to-be 37-year-old decides to pitch next season, a return to L.A. on a new one-year, incentive-based contract could benefit both sides.
Over parts of three seasons with the Dodgers, Hudson owns a 5-5 record, 3.31 ERA, 3.54 FIP, 1.13 WHIP, 9.7 strikeouts per nine and six saves across 73.1 innings pitched (68 games, one start).
Dave Roberts was heartbroken for Daniel Hudson
After his sustaining his second knee injury in as many years, Dodgers manager Dave Roberts expressed disappointment for Hudson. “It’s difficult. Because I know the grind and what he’s gone through. You feel like an outcast when you’re not around,” Roberts said at the time.
“You feel, ‘Why am I doing this? Is it worth it?’ And you finally get to a point where you’ve gotten back, and the highest of highs of getting a save, but then to kind of fall back once the adrenaline settles in and you realize that you’re back on the IL and you’re going to be missing a significant amount of time.
“My heart breaks for him. He was committed to coming back this year. Could’ve walked away last year, but committed to coming back. So for it to end right now the way it did, it hurts.”
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