:format(webp)/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/62690785/usa_today_10923884.0.jpg)
After being released by the Rays, the Dodgers signed Daniel Hudson to a minor-league contract on April 2. Right forearm tightness would end his season near the end of August.
What went right
For the month of June, you could make the case that Hudson was one of the best relievers in all of baseball. Including four games in July, Hudson was LA’s go-to guy out of the bullpen.
From June 2 until July 7, Hudson allowed only one run in 15 appearances. In 18 innings, his ERA was 0.50, with a WHIP of 1.06. Opponents were hitting just .179 off of him, and he was striking out 28 percent of batters he saw.
Even more impressive about Hudson’s dominant stretch was his ability to escape innings while limiting damage. He faced 22 batters with runners in scoring position, and allowed only one run to score, the lone run he allowed in five weeks.
What went wrong
Aside from his great stretch, the 2018 campaign was a rough one for the 31-year-old. He was activated on April 24, and allowed six runs in his first four outings. Things settled down, but he ended May with an earned-run average of 6.35. On top of that, he was nearly walking as many batters as he was striking out, with 10 walks to go along with 13 strikeouts.
After his hot stretch, Hudson had another bad stretch, with a very similar ERA as his first, 6.55. This time around, his numbers were actually significantly better. Opponents were hitting only .195, and he had a strikeout-to-walk ratio of 10:1.
What was killing Hudson, was the long ball. He allowed four home runs over his final 11 innings of the season.
Hudson was placed on the disabled-list on August 24, and wouldn’t make another appearance with LA.
2018 particulars
Age: 31
Stats: 3-2, 4.11 ERA, 44 SO, 46 IP, 1.217 WHIP, 4.38 FIP
Salary: Unavailable
Game of the year
After Hyun-Jin Ryu exited early with an injury, the Dodgers called to Hudson in the fourth inning of a May 2 meeting with Arizona. Hudson threw two innings of shutout ball, striking out three, and not allowing a base hit. He picked up his first victory of the season.
Roster status
Hudson is currently a free-agent.