Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said Wednesday that Hudson "will be in our bullpen," Mike DiGiovanna of the Los Angeles Times reports.

EDGE Analysis

Hudson is attending camp as a non-roster invitee, but Roberts' comments imply that the veteran reliever will be added to the 40-man roster and 26-man active roster ahead of the Dodgers' March 20 season opener versus the Padres in South Korea. Though he missed most of the last two seasons with knee issues, Hudson has been healthy thus far in spring training. Hudson hasn't been overly sharp in 3.2 Cactus League innings, allowing two runs on four hits and three walks, but the Dodgers will bet on the veteran right-hander's track record as they include him in their bullpen.

Dodgers manager Dave Robert said Friday that Hudson (knee) is trending toward being on the active roster for the March 20-21 series against the Padres in South Korea, Fabian Ardaya of The Athletic reports.

EDGE Analysis

The skipper added that Hudson still needs to refine his execution after missing most of the last two seasons with knee issues. However, it does not appear there are any physical limitations for Hudson at this juncture. The veteran reliever is in camp as a non-roster invitee, but it sounds like the Dodgers fully intend to add him to the active roster.

The Dodgers re-signed Hudson (knee) to a minor-league contract Wednesday, Jeff Passan of ESPN.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

Hudson will earn $2 million if he cracks the major-league roster in Los Angeles, and the deal also includes another $2 million in performance-based bonuses. The veteran reliever made only three big-league appearances in 2023 because of serious knee issues, but he held a 2.96 ERA and 105:21 K:BB in 76 innings between 2021-22 and is expected to carry a clean bill of health into spring training in 2024.

The Dodgers declined Hudson's (knee) $6.5 million club option for 2024 on Sunday.

EDGE Analysis

Hudson missed the second half of the 2023 campaign due to a sprained MCL in his right knee. However, he aimed to return to the Dodgers' bullpen if they advanced to the NLCS, so it seems as though he's at least close to full health as he prepares for free agency.

Hudson (knee) is scheduled to pitch in an intrasquad game Thursday at Dodger Stadium, Mike DiGiovanna of the Los Angeles Times reports.

EDGE Analysis

Hudson has been sidelined since early July because of a sprained MCL in his right knee and won't be ready for the NLDS, but he is aiming to return to the Dodgers' bullpen if they advance to the NLCS. The veteran reliever resumed facing live hitters in late September and has progressed without issue so far.

Hudson (knee) is slated to throw live batting practice during the Dodgers' upcoming road trip and could return to game action if the team advances to the NLCS, per the Associated Press.

EDGE Analysis

Hudson has been out with a sprained MCL in his right knee since July 5 and has pitched in just three major-league games this season. He only recently resumed throwing to live hitters, so he still has a ways to go until he could potentially be ready for game action. The Dodgers have already wrapped up a spot in the NLDS, but Hudson won't be ready to return for that series. Should Los Angeles advance past that round, however, the veteran reliever could be added to the roster for the NLCS, which begins Oct. 16.

Hudson (knee) tossed a live bullpen session Tuesday, Fabian Ardaya of The Athletic reports.

EDGE Analysis

This is a significant step forward for Hudson, whose previous throwing session was from the slope (not the rubber) of the bullpen mound. The veteran reliever has pitched in just three games this season, with his latest appearance with Los Angeles taking place July 5. It remains unlikely that Hudson will be able to return by the end of the campaign, though it's possible he could be an option if the Dodgers go deep into the postseason.

Hudson (knee) threw pitches from the slope of the bullpen mound Tuesday, Fabian Ardaya of The Athletic reports.

EDGE Analysis

Hudson hasn't recovered as quickly as hoped after spraining the MCL in his right knee in early July and has been deemed by manager Dave Roberts a "longshot" to return this season. Nonetheless, the veteran reliever is continuing to throw, albeit from the slope of the mound rather than the rubber. That detail suggests that Hudson is still far away from being able to pitch in a game situation, so it's unlikely he returns in 2023, even if the Dodgers make a deep postseason run.

Hudson (knee) is a "longshot" to return this season, Fabian Ardaya of The Athletic reports.

EDGE Analysis

The Dodgers have tried to keep the door open for Hudson to return this season, though it seems as if that hope is fading. Manager Dave Roberts relayed that Hudson threw a bullpen session recently but was still dealing with soreness in his knee. It's unclear whether he could make a return for the postseason, or if a return to start 2024 is most realistic.

Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said Sunday that a return from the 60-day injured list is "still in play" for Hudson this season, Fabian Ardaya of The Athletic reports.

EDGE Analysis

While Roberts isn't discounting the possibility of the right-hander pitching out of the bullpen in September, Hudson has yet to resume facing hitters since landing on the IL on July 6 with a sprained MCL in his right knee. Even if he's able to ramp up quickly, Hudson is likely still multiple weeks away from being activated and will probably require multiple appearances in the minors to hone his command after the lengthy layoff from game action.