Hudson will start for the Diamondbacks on Sunday against the Padres. Hudson had been scored upon in four straight outings prior to a 17-pitch outing on May 7. Considering the proximity of that appearance to Sunday's start, it's highly unlikely that Hudson pitches deep into this game. He owns a 6.17 ERA and 1.37 WHIP over nine relief appearances in 2015. Don't expect Hudson to hang on to this rotation spot, as Archie Bradley (face) is targeting a May 16 return to the mound.

Hudson threw two innings of relief Friday in a loss to the Dodgers, allowing a run on a solo homer, a walk, and striking out four. This was a much better performance for Hudson with the strikeouts being an encouraging sign, but he has still given up runs in four straight appearances. That said, Hudson won't hold much value working in middle relief as he has in his past two outings. The best case scenario might be that it leads to stretching him out to try starting again, if he's not going to be able to work in high leverage relief situations.

Hudson turned in his second straight ugly outing Sunday against the Pirates, allowing three earned runs on four hits, a walk, and a wild pitch in one inning. After starting the year with four consecutive scoreless outings in relief, Hudson has seen his ERA jump to 8.10 with a 1.65 WHIP. He has also struck out just one hitter despite an uptick in velocity coming out of the pen. He's nearly unusable right now until he figures something out to be less hittable or miss more bats.

Hudson imploded to take the loss Tuesday, giving up three earned runs on two hits, including a Prince Fielder home run, and a walk in just an inning of work in a 7-1 loss to the Rangers. Hudson wasn't helped by the two errors his teammates made behind him, but Hudson was also off on this night and the Rangers hit several balls hard. These were the first runs and the first walk allowed by Hudson this year, but he has also struck out just one batter in five appearances, which is discouraging. The talk of stretching him out to start has died down and his value is limited as a middle-reliever until he shows that he can miss more bats.

Hudson pitched a scoreless 1.2 innings in relief Wednesday allowing one hit and striking out one in a 5-2 loss to the Giants. Hudson pitched in two of the Diamondbacks first three games and is showing a healthy arm thus far. His four-seam fastball and sinker are both averaging over 95 mph. It remains to be seen whether the DBacks will attempt to transition Hudson back to starting, but for now he gives them a power arm out of the bullpen. He's a player worth monitoring as a change in role could increase his value substantially.

Hudson pitched an inning in relief Monday, giving up two hits with no walks or strikeouts, in a 5-4 loss on Opening Day. Hudson continues to slowly make his way back from his second Tommy John surgery. Throughout spring training the talk from the DBacks was that he would be stretched out to start, but he will pitch from the bullpen for now. He sat in the mid-90s with his fastball in the outing against the Giants, so his arm is certainly live. He will need to work on his command to get back to the pitcher he looked like in 2011 when he logged 220 innings with a 3.49 ERA and 1.20 WHIP. He has thrown only 49 innings in the majors since then.

Hudson felt good after a two-inning appearance Wednesday and he will continue to work toward stretching out as a starter this spring, the Arizona Republic reports. If he continues to avoid issues with heavier workloads, Hudson may conceivably push his way into the conversation for one of the final spots in the Arizona rotation. He returned from his second Tommy John surgery in a span of two years as a reliever last September, but it remains to be seen if his arm will hold up in a starting role.

Hudson is still on track to stretch out and push for a rotation spot this spring, the Arizona Republic reports. Given that he's recovered from two Tommy John surgery that cost him most of the last three seasons, the Diamondbacks are keeping close tabs on Hudson after each appearance this spring. Hudson is scheduled for a side session Saturday, and barring a setback, could pitch in three more games this spring. In his two-inning outing Wednesday against the Giants, Hudson's fastball was reaching the mid-90s.

Hudson threw a bullpen session Tuesday, Nick Piecoro of the Arizona Republic reports. The news here is that Hudson is recovering well from his start on Sunday, and his arm appears to be in good shape. The Diamondbacks may be looking to stretch him out as a starter this season, so his spring training workload is something to keep an eye on.

Hudson is a full participant in spring training for the Diamondbacks this spring, marking the first time since 2012 that he's been able to go through drills without restrictions, the team's official site reports. While Hudson is currently being stretched out as a starter, he may land in the bullpen between now and Opening Day. How he responds and the level of his performance during the Cactus League slate may ultimately determine his role, but at the very least a return to the mound after a brief taste of the big leagues in September will offer up a nice story since he's had two career Tommy John surgeries.