Dodgers Bring Up Daniel Hudson, Option Buehler to A-Ball
The Dodgers made a move today prior to first pitch with Miami, calling up the right-handed reliever Daniel Hudson. To make room on the roster, Walker Buehler was optioned back to Class A Rancho. Buehler was brought up as a one-game fill-in while Rich Hill recovered from a cracked fingernail. Hudson was added to the 40-man roster, which is now entirely filled up.
#Dodgers LHP Rich Hill said his four-inning 80-pitch sim game went well and he will start Monday.
— Mike DiGiovanna (@MikeDiGiovanna) April 24, 2018
As we noted at the beginning of the month, Hudson is interesting for a bullpen piece. Los Angeles’ front office has made a habit of building bullpens from pieces, and Hudson may be part of that school of thought. He was signed to a minor league deal at the onset of the season.
Hudson has not been an effective reliever as of recent years but was great before 2012. He posted a 3.19 earned run average and owned a 3:1 K/BB ration the two years leading up to that. Not overwhelming numbers, but certainly effective in the later innings of a close game. Hudson was mostly used as a starter during those decent seasons. His transition to the bullpen did not go as well as hoped.
With the loss of Brandon Morrow to free agency last Winter, the Dodgers dug around to find additional pieces in their depleted bullpen. JT Chargois, Daniel Hudson, and Scott Alexander were all brought on to help plug that hole left by Morrow. Hudson was cut loose by Tampa Bay at the end of Spring Training, so he only costs the Dodgers the pro-rated league minimum.
Analysis
If he can return to anywhere close to his old form, Hudson will be en effective reliever. He is not as overpowering as he might have once been, but he is an intelligent pitcher. Let’s hope he can maintain that and use it for his success.
Dodgers Recap: Walker Buehler is Phenomenal in Debut
Please be responsible with you information if Tampa cut Hudson theirs no way he is any good
Smart move again, “boy geniuses,” to send down Buehler, who pitched better than any relief pitcher on the team, and call up a guy who was released by Tampa.
Brook, your comment, “Hudson is interesting for a bullpen piece,” is unrealistic, to say the least. “Hudson has not been an effective reliever as of recent years but was great before 2012.” – are you kidding? What good is 2012? this is 2018!
The loss of Morrow, who has more saves than Jansen right now, is sickening to Dodger fans – again the fault of management.
It was not a matter of the Dodgers not wanting to re-sign Morrow. He was after a big payout in a closer’s role after his bounceback season. It is oversimplifying it to say the Dodgers should have brought him back. Yes, it would have been great. But look at the contract he ended up signing. He was not about to get that from the Dodgers, and he was not going to be a closer here.