Daniel Hudson refutes timetable for return

Oct 5, 2012, 6:02 PM Updated: 7:13 pm

During manager Kirk Gibson’s season wrap-up session with the media Thursday, the Diamondbacks’ third-year skipper talked extensively about the team’s future rotation plans.

As the team faded from legitimate postseason contention over the final few months, they welcomed the opportunity to get a sneak peak at some of their talented pitching prospects, as Patrick Corbin, Tyler Skaggs and Trevor Bauer all spent time up in the big leagues.

And while the future certainly looks bright based on the potential of their talented farm hands, the D-backs still have youth even among their other pitchers, as Ian Kennedy (27), Trevor Cahill (26) and Wade Miley (25) aren’t exactly getting up there in age.

Lost in the shuffle of what now looks to be a crowded rotation, is former 16-game winner Daniel Hudson, who turned just 25 back in March.

Hudson’s 2012 season was cut short after an MRI revealed ligament damage in his right elbow back in July. The right-hander went 3-2 with a 7.35 ERA before undergoing Tommy John Surgery.

The technical recovery time for pitchers is typically between 12-18 months — a point Gibson agreed with in term’s of Hudson’s recovery.

“Hudson, in my opinion, is August at the earliest,” Gibson said about a potential timetable for his return. “When you look at these things, in all honesty, he may come back. But do you bring him back as a starter or a reliever?”

Gibson went on to add that Hudson’s rehab is going well, but the projected No. 2 pitcher in the D-backs’ 2012 rotation went out of his way on Twitter Friday to dismiss all notions of an August comeback.

August my ass. Ill be back by the all star break at the latest #HardWorkPaysOff

— Daniel Hudson (@DHuddy41) October 5, 2012

Hudson was acquired in July 2010 in a trade with the Chicago White Sox. He went 7-1 to finish the season, before his breakout year with the D-backs in 2011.

He is under team control until 2016, and made $504,000 in 2012.

Kyndra de St. Aubin contributed to this report