Hudson cleared for full-on mound work
LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. – His checkup went so well Tuesday, Tim Hudson joked that his doctor told him he kicked back surgery’s butt.
The veteran Braves pitcher was in good spirits Wednesday before heading to the field for his first full bullpen session since having lumbar spine-fusion surgery 3-1/2 months ago.
“It was a very, very good report — t he geriatric program is working around here,” cracked Hudson, 36. “I’ve increased my workload pretty substantially over the last couple of weeks and it has responded well. It’s responded as if I was doing light stuff. The X-ray looked good and my range of motion was good.
“Two thumbs up, man.”
The right-hander could join the starting rotation around May 1. Hudson said he might be back a little sooner, but he and the Braves won’t pinpoint a specific target date. It’ll just depend on when he’s ready.
“Nothing’s written in stone but I suspect that right now it’s just [a matter of] getting me in shape, my arm and legs in throwing shape,” he said. “That’s the one thing that we’re concentrating on now is getting in pitch shape.”
Hudson is owed $9 million in 2012 in the last season of a three-year, $28 million contract extension that also has a $9 million option for 2013 with a $1 million buyout.
Over the past two seasons, the Alabama native went 33-19 with a 3.02 ERA and .232 opponents’ average in 443-2/3 innings.
Lefty Mike Minor is competing with prospects Julio Teheran and Randall Delgado for the fifth spot in the Braves’ rotation. One of those who doesn’t win the job is expected to fill the other vacancy until Hudson returns.
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23 comments Add your comment
phil
March 14th, 2012
7:13 pm
Good news.
MikeY
March 14th, 2012
7:26 pm
With off days 4/6, 4/12, and 4/26, it looks like the Braves only need a fifth starter on 4/19 and 4/24, and then not again till 5/4. The Braves may be able to wait till 4/19 to make a decision on that 5th starter (and it could actually be Medlin or Martinez or Vizcaino). Maybe the team is better with an added reliver rather than a fifth starter till 5/4?
lanier
March 14th, 2012
7:31 pm
Get him back asap. best we have
Greg
March 14th, 2012
7:41 pm
We’ll surely buy him out for $1 mil for 2013 rather than pay him $9 mil. So this is it for Huddy. Enjoy him this year (if he can go).
Tim Hudson (Braves) — BaseballMoves.com
March 14th, 2012
8:45 pm
[...] Source: ajc.com [...]
Graham
March 14th, 2012
8:45 pm
Hey DOB, Chipper just ripped you on the air. I lol’d
joe
March 14th, 2012
8:48 pm
Watched game tonight and was happy to see all the young talent..man Simmons and other looked good..We may have a new bench this year. Go Braves. Welcome back Hudson…
DaveinNEPA
March 14th, 2012
8:51 pm
@Greg
I wouldn’t be too quick to write off Huddy. 9m per is very reasonable for a SP with his resume’.
By June 1, I think we can expect him to pick up where he left off last season.
alanfalcon
March 14th, 2012
8:51 pm
Braves looked good tonight, its as though they needed the lights, camera and action.
DaveinNEPA
March 14th, 2012
8:53 pm
@DOB
Chipper says you’re a bit “overzealous”. How do you respond to that.
Bill
March 14th, 2012
8:54 pm
J-Hey hit one a mile and Greg Walker was up to greet him–love it.
Bob the Blogger
March 14th, 2012
9:05 pm
I would like to see the Braves keep Huddy next year at $9 million, even with all of the talent waiting in the wings. Hudson has an incredible track record when given a lead, something like 105-5 with a 3 or 4 run lead. He has done this over the last number of years with either a bad back or bad elbow. Even though he is 36, I expect him to be very solid this year and next. After that, let one of the young guns take his place.
jodathrow
March 14th, 2012
9:09 pm
DOB,
Noticed you said Teheran or Delgado will likely fill Huddy’s spot in April. Are you thinking Medlen is definitely headed to the pen?
Mark (another one)
March 14th, 2012
9:20 pm
My hope is that Hudson’s surgery will let him pitch at a high level for a few more years. Hopefully it will relieve his back issues, and allow him to throw freely. BTW, $9 million for a number 1 or 2 pitcher is a bargin. If Hudson shows he can keep pitching, the Braves should consider extending him.
fob
March 14th, 2012
10:06 pm
DOB – I hope you checked your second hand quotes before publishing this time..
David O'Brien
March 14th, 2012
10:27 pm
Noticed you said Teheran or Delgado will likely fill Huddy’s spot in April. Are you thinking Medlen is definitely headed to the pen? — jodathrow
I think plan all along has been to have Medlen ready only if needed, if injuries or trade. But if Delgado and Teheran are healthy, can’t see both going to Triple-A and neither going to ‘pen. So yes, I think Medlen’s headed to ‘pen.
David O'Brien
March 14th, 2012
10:29 pm
Chipper says you’re a bit “overzealous”. How do you respond to that. — DaveinNEPA
I don’t.
David O'Brien
March 14th, 2012
10:29 pm
Hey DOB, Chipper just ripped you on the air. I lol’d — Graham
Cool, glad you got a laugh out of it. Did he call me Dave or David?
David O'Brien
March 14th, 2012
10:31 pm
Hey DOB, Chipper just ripped you on the air. I lol’d — Graham
Glad it made you chuckle. Or rather, lol. By the way, did he call me David or Dave?
Brava
March 14th, 2012
10:42 pm
He called you, Dave, DOB.
Jon Rocker- Steve Avery
March 15th, 2012
12:41 pm
The 2 of us are available if needed.
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