Daniel

Hudson

Dodgers’ closer Evan Phillips was utilized in the sixth inning of this one, so manager Dave Roberts turned to Hudson after the Dodgers went ahead in the top half of the ninth inning. Things got interesting in the ninth as the 37-year-old right-hander allowed a pair of one-out walks to Colt Keith and Wenceel Perez, but he battled back to strike out Matt Vierling and then got Riley Greene on a fly ball to center to end it. Hudson has registered a minuscule 1.63 ERA across 38 2/3 innings on the season while chipping in six victories and four saves.

Phillips has looked the part in his rehab appearances as he works his way back from the hamstring injury that has sidelined the stopper since May 5. Once back on the roster, there’s every reason to believe that Phillips will receive the bulk of the save chances for Los Angeles, with Daniel Hudson and the rest of the Los Angeles bullpen serving as a bridge to Phillips.

Hudson fanned two of the three batters he faced against his former team. He’ll likely resume working in a setup role once Evan Phillips rejoins the Dodgers next week, but until then, he’s a worthy play in mixed leagues.

Hudson got the call to protect a two-run lead in the final frame and tossed a flawless frame on 12 pitches (10 strikes). It’s worth noting that both Blake Treinen and Alex Vesia might’ve been unavailable after pitching during Monday’s series opener. This was Hudson’s first outing since an ugly blown save last Friday against the Braves. It’ll presumably remain a closer by committee situation with Hudson, Treinen and Vesia splitting the ninth-inning duties until Evan Phillips is ready to return from the injured list at some point later this month.

Phillips was diagnosed with a Grade 1 hamstring strain and placed on the injured list before Sunday’s game against Atlanta. The right-hander will miss at least two weeks, but it doesn’t sound like a (relatively) long-term injury for the 29-year-old closer. While Phillips is out, Daniel Hudson and Blake Treinen will be the favorites for save chances, with Hudson the most likely to pitch the ninth in the coming days.

The 37-year-old hurler was tasked with closing out the game with Evan Phillips having worked each of the previous two nights. He made it look easy, striking out Paul Goldschmidt and Nolan Gorman before getting Nolan Arenado on a ground ball to shortstop to end it. Fantasy managers in weekly leagues that counted the two-game set in South Korea this first period were rewarded handsomely for rostering Hudson — as they tally a save to go along with the victory he nabbed there.

The transaction was a mere formality at this stage, as Hudson had already been informed by manager Dave Roberts that he would be included in the team’s Opening Day bullpen. The 37-year-old hurler has registered a 3.38 ERA, 1.50 WHIP and a 7/3 K/BB ratio over 5 1/3 innings in his six appearances. He’ll join a slew of capable setup options in front of closer Evan Phillips.

Hudson is on a minor league deal with a March 15 opt-out, but it seems like he will be staying in Los Angeles after winning a spot in the Dodgers’ bullpen. The veteran missed the majority of last season after spraining his MCL shortly after recovering from a torn ACL. The 37-year-old has posted a 1.98 ERA in 27 1/3 innings over the last two seasons, so he has been good for the Dodgers when healthy and should figure into the mix in the latter innings of games.

Roberts noted that Hudson is still working through some pitch execution stuff after missing the overwhelming majority of the last two seasons, but all three are likely to be ready for the Dodgers’ season-opener next month in South Korea. Having all three back would be a huge boost for Los Angeles’ relief mix heading into 2024.

The deal, which will pay Hudson $2 million if he makes the Dodgers’ big league roster at any point, is now official. The soon-to-be 37-year-old righty made just three appearances this past season in his return from a torn ACL in his left knee before suffering a season-ending MCL sprain in his right knee. If he’s healthy, he’ll provide Los Angeles’ high-leverage mix with a boost in 2024.