Arizona Diamondbacks’ president Hall: ‘Possibility’ Daniel Hudson could be a starter again

Three games into the season, the Arizona Diamondbacks are about what people expected — a very capable offensive team with a very shaky starting rotation.

Arizona’s three starters — Josh Collmenter, Rubby De La Rosa and Jeremy Hellickson — combined to throw just 14.1 innings, allowing 13 earned runs while striking out 11 and walking five. The San Francisco Giants hit .409 off of them, while they posted a 1-2 record.

It’s early, yes, and no doubt more will need to be seen from the rotation before anyone thinks of making any changes.

But if it gets to that point, one option could be Daniel Hudson.

A former starter, Hudson has pitched 2.2 innings out of the bullpen thus far, allowing just three hits while striking out one.

Hudson started 33 games for Arizona in 2011, winning 16 while posting a 3.49 ERA. His 2012 campaign was cut short due to Tommy John surgery, and just when it seemed like he was going to make it back in 2013, he needed to go under the knife again. Hudson worked his way back from both surgeries and was able to make three relief appearances in 2014, and has continued to stay healthy while looking more and more like the pitcher he once was. You’d have to think that barring a change, the right-hander could be a very nice addition to the starting rotation. Maybe.

“That was one one that we looked at in spring,” D-backs president Derrick Hall told Doug and Wolf on Arizona Sports 98.7 FM Thursday. “We were trying to determine, should we keep him in the rotation? We were stretching him out, and talking to him and talking to our staff.

“Everybody, including him, thought it would be best if he was in the bullpen.”

Hudson threw 11.2 spring training innings and posted a 3.86 ERA. He allowed nine hits, walked four and struck out nine, with opponents hitting just .220 off of him. Hall said Hudson’s desire to be a reliever may have stemmed from concern that he would not have the same velocity as a starter as he has had as a reliever. But, as he continues to pitch well he will gain confidence, that may cease to be an issue.

That, perhaps, could lead to a change in role down the road.

“Sure, it could be a possibility,” Hall said. “This guy, he’s so dominant and his ball has so much life. And you see the velo(city) is there. I love the kid, I love the story and I think the sky is the limit for him as long as he stays healthy, whether it’s in the ‘pen or it’s in the rotation.”

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