Hudson (knee) and Brusdar Graterol are the most likely candidates to serve as the Dodgers' closer if the team eventually decides to veer away from a committee approach, Bill Plunkett of the Orange County Register reports.

EDGE Analysis

Los Angeles appears set to begin the campaign without a designated closer, and there's no indication that the team is eager to shift that approach. However, if things change at some point in the campaign, Hudson and Graterol currently appear to be the most logical options. Hudson has some experience closing games, having racked up 32 saves throughout his career, including five last season, when he also impressed with a 2.22 ERA, 0.90 WHIP and 30:5 K:BB over 24.1 innings. However, the veteran right-hander is currently on the shelf as he recovers from separate knee and ankle injuries, and he's expected to miss at least the first few weeks of the regular season.

Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said Thursday that Hudson (knee/ankle) is "still a ways away" from pitching in live games, Jack Harris of the Los Angeles Times reports.

EDGE Analysis

Hudson made it through a live batting practice session Wednesday without issue, but the Dodgers will continue to bring him along carefully as he completes his recovery from surgery last June to repair a torn ACL in his left knee. He also came down with some right ankle tendinitis in February and is not expected to be ready for Opening Day.

Hudson (knee/ankle) will face live hitters Wednesday for the first time this spring, Fabian Ardaya of The Athletic reports.

EDGE Analysis

Hudson has been eased along this spring after requiring surgery last June to repair a torn ACL in his left knee. He's not expected to be ready for Opening Day but could join the Dodgers' bullpen by the middle of April if all continues to go smoothly with his rehab program.

Dodgers manager Dave Roberts acknowledged Thursday that Hudson (knee/ankle) is unlikely to be ready for Opening Day, Juan Toribio of MLB.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

Hudson has advanced to full-intensity bullpen sessions, but the Dodgers will continue to slow play his recovery from surgery last June to repair a torn ACL in his left knee. He suffered a minor setback last month in the form of right ankle tendinitis, though that now seems to be in the rearview. The veteran reliever should be an option for Los Angeles by mid-April if there are no further road blocks.

Hudson (knee/ankle) threw another bullpen session Thursday in Dodgers camp, Jack Harris of the Los Angeles Times reports.

EDGE Analysis

Hudson required surgery last June to repair a torn ACL in his left knee and then came down with some right ankle tendinitis earlier this month, but he would appear to be trending in a positive direction now. The veteran reliever figures to begin appearing in Cactus League games within the first week or two of March. And if there are no further setbacks, he should begin the season in the mix for saves since the Dodgers don't have a clear-cut closer.

Updating a previous report, Hudson (knee/ankle) isn't scheduled to pitch in the Dodgers' Cactus League opener Saturday versus the Brewers, according to David Vassegh of AM 570 LA Sports reports.

EDGE Analysis

Vassegh had previously reported that Hudson was scheduled to appear in relief behind starter Michael Grove, but instead, non-roster invitee Bryan Hudson is the Hudson in question who will work out of the bullpen. Daniel Hudson missed the final four months of the 2022 season after undergoing surgery in late June to address a torn ACL in his left knee, so the Dodgers may prefer to take a cautious approach with his usage this spring, especially after he dealt with right ankle tendinitis before reporting to camp. The Dodgers haven't suggested that Hudson is dramatically behind the team's other relief candidates, so the 35-year-old right-hander still seemingly has a good chance of securing a spot on the Opening Day roster. He should be in the mix for a high-leverage role after notching five saves and nine holds while delivering a 2.22 ERA and 30:5 K:BB across 24.1 innings in his injury-shortened 2022 campaign.

Hudson (knee/ankle) is expected to make an appearance in relief in Saturday's Cactus League opener versus the Brewers, David Vassegh of AM 570 LA Sports reports.

EDGE Analysis

Before suffering an ACL tear of his left knee in late June and undergoing season-ending surgery, Hudson had settled into a key role in the late innings for the Dodgers, as he concluded the campaign with a 2.22 ERA, 0.90 WHIP and 30:5 K:BB in 24.1 innings while bagging five saves and nine holds. The fact that he's already on track to appear in relief in the Dodgers' spring opener suggests that Hudson is well on his way to being included on the Opening Day roster, even though he experienced some tendinitis in his right ankle earlier in camp in addition to making his return from the ACL tear. Manager Dave Roberts has yet to name a closer for the start of the season and could take a committee approach to the ninth inning, but expect Hudson to be a factor in some capacity so long as he steers clear of any setbacks with his knee.

Hudson (knee/ankle) completed a bullpen session Monday, David Vassegh of AM 570 LA Sportsreports.

EDGE Analysis

Dodgers manager Dave Roberts told Vassegh after the session that he doesn't believe Hudson is far behind the other relievers currently in camp. The 35-year-old reliever is dealing with tendinitis in his right ankle, after missing the majority off the 2022 campaign because of a left ACL tear. If healthy, Hudson has a chance to see a good amount of save chances for the Dodgers during the 2023 season.

Hudson (knee/ankle) is scheduled to throw a bullpen session Friday in Dodgers camp, Juan Toribio of MLB.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

Hudson missed the majority of the 2022 season due to a left ACL tear and then came into spring training with a bit of right ankle tendinitis, but the veteran reliever is optimistic that he will be ready for Opening Day. He could play a large role in the saves mix for Los Angeles if his health cooperates.

Hudson is recovering from his knee injury nicely, however he is now battling ankle discomfort, Jack Harris of the Los Angeles Times reports.

EDGE Analysis

Hudson was kept out of action for most of last season after tearing his ACL in June. It remains uncertain whether or not the 35-year-old reliever will be ready to go once spring training games begin.