What appeared to be a crowded Los Angeles Dodgers bullpen is now facing some injury concern with neither Brusdar Graterol and Blake Treinen at full health.
Treinen suffered a bruised lung as a result of being hit by a line-drive comebacker on Saturday. X-rays and a CT scan both came back negative, and the Dodgers are optimistic Treinen will make a recovery in time to be included on their Opening Day roster.
But the outlook is not as optimistic for Graterol. He’s appeared in just one Cactus League game and already has been ruled out from being on the Dodgers roster for the Seoul Series because of hip tightness and right shoulder discomfort.
Graterol could be ready for the Dodgers’ domestic Opening Day game on March 28, but in the meantime the team may look to Daniel Hudson to fill his spot in the bullpen.
“I think the quick look is obviously Hudson is certainly somebody who makes sense, given how he’s throwing the baseball and how he’s feeling,” manager Dave Roberts said.
“But I don’t know exactly yet how it’s going to play out.”
Hudson, who just celebrated his 37th birthday on Saturday, has allowed two runs across 4.1 innings pitched in four Cactus League appearances thus far. Hudson made back-to-back scoreless appearances before allowing one run in both of his next two times pitching.
The veteran right-hander then bounced back by striking out the two batters faced on Saturday.
That Hudson may be part of the Dodgers bullpen in the early going of the 2024 season was already appearing likely. Roberts mentioned last month the Dodgers planned on having Hudson, J.P. Feyereisen and Treinen in their bullpen for Opening Day.
Though, that was then followed by Roberts backtracking some and suggesting Hudson would more so be part of the picture during the first month as opposed to being with the team for Opening Day. That outlook has since changed in light of Graterol’s hip and shoulder trouble.
Daniel Hudson motivated to contribute
After having his 2022 season end early because of a torn ACL in his left knee, Hudson only pitched in three games last year due to suffering an MCL sprain in his right knee.
Had the Dodgers advanced to the National League Championship Series, Hudson was likely to be available.
That never came to be and the Dodgers declined their team option on Hudson before re-signing him to a Minor League contract. The veteran was determined to continue his career and be a positive member of the Dodgers bullpen in light of the last two injury-plagued seasons.
Hudson will first needed to be added to the Dodgers’ 40-man roster in order to be active.
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