Reliever Returns to Dodgers One Year After ACL Tear

His Los Angeles Dodgers career started on a tremendous note, posting a 2.22 ERA through his first 24.1 innings last season, with 30 strikeouts against just five walks, along with five saves. But then Daniel Hudson tore his ACL on June 24, 2022, and he has been out ever since. He had surgery last July 11th.

Friday night marked first time back on the mound as the Dodgers activated him after a long and arduous recovery. He was expected to be ready by the start of the season, but some continued knee pain and ankle tendinitis during spring training pushed his return back quite a bit. 

"It felt good. It's just fun to be back out there with the guys down in the bullpen." Daniel Hudson on how it felt being back. pic.twitter.com/Gq1wUxrNzH

— SportsNet LA (@SportsNetLA) July 1, 2023

"They told me six to nine months, and it ended up being close to 12," said Hudson after his return last night. "It was definitely frustrating but today came, and we just keep rolling from here."

He admits his surgically repaired left knee may never be 100%, but “It just got to a point where I was like, ‘You know what? I’m ready. I’m done checking boxes. Let’s just freaking go,’"

He had a nice first outing back with the club, pitching a clean inning, striking out two and surrendering only an infield single. 

Yep, Daniel Hudson is going to pick up where he left off and resume being a dude for the Dodgers bullpen. Was on his way to having a career year before the ACL injury last year. Welcome back, Huddy.

— Doug McKain (@DMAC_LA) July 1, 2023

The Dodgers have a $7.3M club option on Hudson for the 2024 campaign, and if he continues to pitch like he did Friday night (and early last season), they'll be pretty tempted to hang on to the 36-year-old veteran for another year. 

Photo: Rick Scuteri-USA TODAY Sports