Dodgers pitcher sprains knee just three games after ACL return

Los Angeles Dodgers relief pitcher Daniel Hudson had just made his return to the lineup after suffering a torn ACL, and he is already headed back to the injured list.

Hudson sprained his knee during Wednesday's win over the Pittsburgh Pirates in just his third game back.

Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said on Thursday that Hudson will be out for "quite some time." This injury is in his right knee, while the ACL injury that sidelined him a year ago was in the left knee.

The 36-year-old Hudson has spent 14 years in the major leagues with seven different teams and has had his share of injury issues during that time.

He had pitched three scoreless innings in his return this season, striking out five batters in his return. He had a 2.22 ERA out of the Dodgers' bullpen in 25 games a year ago before he was injured.

While it's a disappointing development for Hudson after he put in all of that work to come back from a major injury, it is also tough news for a Dodgers pitching staff that has been decimated by injuries this season. With Hudson back on the injured list, the Dodgers now have five starting pitchers and seven relievers on the IL and are using a makeshift starting rotation made up of minor league call-ups. 

Even with the injuries, the Dodgers are still 10 games over .500 (48-38) going into Thursday's game against the Pittsburgh Pirates and in second place in the National League West.