Daniel Hudson’s knees might cause him to retire. The veteran reliever who is currently on the Dodgers' injured list spoke with the LA Times this week about his frustrations with his health and his realization that he may be near the end of his career.
Injuries are nothing new to Hudson, but this is the first time his lower body has kept him off the mound for an extended period of time.
That’s kind of the bitter irony in all of this,” Hudson said. “I had all the arm troubles at the beginning of my career. If you told someone that I’d throw, like, 13,000 pitches in the big leagues, and my knees would be the thing that takes me out, it’s kind of a sick joke. But at this point, it is what it is.”
When Hudson was a young starter with the Arizona Diamondbacks, he needed Tommy John surgery. During a rehab start in double-A, Hudson re-injured his ulnar collateral ligament, requiring a second Tommy John surgery. The rehabilitation process after Tommy John surgery is a grueling and lonely process. Every pitcher who returns from that surgery and becomes a successful major league pitcher truly is dedicated to the sport.
Hudson was even featured in The Arm by Jeff Passan. He turned himself into a great high-pressure reliever. He closed out Game 7 in the 2019 World Series as a Washington National.
In 2022, Hudson rejoined the Dodgers. Before tearing the ACL in his left knee, he was one of the best Dodger relief pitchers. This spring ankle tendonitis slowed Hudon’s return. In late June, he returned to LA and pitched scorelessly in three innings, including a no-out bases-loaded jam against the Pittsburgh Pirates.
When Dave Roberts announced Hudson had sprained the MCL, everyone’s heart sank. Last week Hudson started physical therapy. Since he is running out of time to comeback once again. Hudson admits he has a slim chance to help the Dodgers in September or in the playoffs.
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