Depth has been a huge key to the Los Angeles Dodgers’ success in recent years, particularly in their bullpen.
One pitcher who wasn’t expected to contribute much for the team in 2018 but wound up being an essential part of the bullpen for most of the summer was right-hander Daniel Hudson, who was acquired from the Tampa Bay Rays just before the start of the season.
Hudson’s numbers weren’t overwhelming, going 3-2 with a 4.11 ERA, 4.38 FIP and 1.22 WHIP in 40 games. He struck out 44 and walked 18 in 46 innings.
But with many of the team’s key relievers either hurt or struggling, Hudson took the ball almost every day and ate up innings. Included in that was a stretch where he went 18 innings across 15 games while giving up just one run in June and July.
The 31-year-old dealt with a shoulder injury that marked the end of his season in August, and now it has marked the end of his Dodgers tenure. According to Jeff Passan of ESPN, Hudson has signed a Minor League contract to compete for a spot in the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim bullpen:
Free agent reliever Daniel Hudson is in agreement with the Los Angeles Angels on a minor league deal, league sources tell ESPN. If he makes the team, Hudson will earn $1.5 million with another $1.5 million possible in performance bonuses.
— Jeff Passan (@JeffPassan) February 8, 2019
The Dodgers’ bullpen is still in really good shape going into the 2019 season after signing free agent Joe Kelly to a three-year contract and returning a lot of their other key contributors from 2018.
Hudson has nine years of Major League relief experience, which the Angels can certainly use after their bullpen struggled for most of 2018. They also added Cody Allen in free agency to close out games for them.
