In 2008, the Chicago White Sox selected RHP Daniel Hudson with the 150th pick, and Hudson made his debut in 2009. Hudson was traded to the Arizona Diamondbacks in 2010 and spent the next five seasons with the snakes, but unfortunately, injury setbacks would put Hudson's baseball career at risk, and Hudson bounced between teams from 2017 to 2019. The Nationals took a risk acquiring Daniel Hudson in 2019, and it ended up saving the veteran right-hander's career.
On July 31st, 2019, the Toronto Blue Jays sent veteran RHP Daniel Hudson to the Washington Nationals in exchange for RHP Kyle Johnston. Hudson had pitched to a 3.00 ERA over 45 MLB games. Now, the Nationals bullpen had been depleted with terrible relievers all year. Between Trevor Rosenthal's 14.34 ERA and the Nats holding 4 relievers over the age of 33, the Nats needed a new guy in the bullpen. They had also traded for LHP Roenis Elias, but Elias only amassed .2 innings after tearing his ACL trying to field a ball. Sean Doolittle was running out of gas, and Daniel Hudson stepped in and became a huge part of the 2019 season. In 24 games, Hudson pitched to a 1.44 ERA, striking out 23 and picking up 6 saves. Hudson would struggle a bit in the postseason, pitching to a 3.72, although, it was all erased when Hudson struck out Jose Altuve and Michael Brantley to close Game 7 and bring DC their first world championship.
Hudson would sign a 2-year extension to remain in DC for the 2020 and 2021 seasons, but with the Nats becoming a losing team, Hudson would be traded in his final year of the deal. For the 3rd time in his career, Hudson would be traded, this time to the San Diego Padres for RHP Mason Thompson. Looking back at the trade, Thompson has had a few shining moments but has also already had 2 Tommy John Surgeries and is questionable to return to play. Hudson also needed Tommy John and would leave the Padres after the 2021 season. Hudson signed a minor league deal with the Dodgers in the 2022 offseason, coming back to the Dodgers where he played in 2018, and would make the team's opening day roster in 2022. Hudson would once again suffer an injury and only pitch 3 games in 2023. Contemplating retirement, Hudson decided to return for one more season.
Fast forward to now, Hudson pitched an entire season in LA in 2024, pitching to a 3.00 ERA over 65 games, striking out 63 (the most since 2017). Hudson would once again struggle in the postseason, holding a 7.50 ERA and giving up the Grand Slam to Anthony Volpe in Game 4. The Dodgers are 2024 World Series champs, and Daniel Hudson became a 2-time champion. Just minutes after the game, Hudson made his announcement.
#Dodgers Daniel Hudson announces his retirement: “This was the only reason I came back — to go out on top. And that’s what’s happening.”
— Bill Plunkett (@billplunkettocr) October 31, 2024
Daniel Hudson finishes a 15-year career, appearing in 547 games and throwing 822.1 innings. Hudson collected 43 saves, striking out 817 batters. Congratulations to Daniel on a remarkable career and Thank you for 3 great years in the nation's capital! If it was up to me, Hudson should retire as a Washington National.