LAKELAND, Fla. – The Toronto Blue Jays added another proven reliever to their wide-open bullpen race Sunday by reaching agreement with right-hander Daniel Hudson on a one-year, major-league deal, according to an industry source.
Once the deal becomes official, he’ll put a fifth arm in place alongside closer Ken Giles, lefty Tim Mayza, righty Joe Biagini and set-up man Bud Norris, who manager Charlie Montoyo said will be ready for opening day as long as a planned inning Sunday wasn’t disrupted.
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Hudson, 32, was released from his minor-league deal with the Los Angeles Angels on Friday after allowing three homers and five runs in 6.2 innings over seven games. Last season, he delivered 46 innings in 40 games at an ERA of 4.11 and WHIP of 1.217 for the Los Angeles Dodgers.
His addition comes after a week in which John Axford suffered a stress reaction in his right elbow and was released, although the club could still re-sign him, while fellow set-up man Ryan Tepera and starter Ryan Borucki, who will miss at least one outing, were both shut down due to elbow pain.
Tepera got good news on that front Saturday, when specialist Dr. David Altchek said the right-hander did not need surgery and can resume throwing Tuesday. The Blue Jays said the diagnosis was elbow inflammation – the same thing that caused Tepera to hit the disabled list last year – and was described as great news by manager Charlie Montoyo.
“We’ve got to see how he feels. We’re not going to rush him, either,” Montoyo said of a possible timeline to being ready. “Of course, he’s not going to start the season with us, but he shouldn’t be that far behind.”
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