D-backs’ Hudson moves forward in recovery
May 9, 2012, 2:07 AM | Updated: 3:40 am
Arizona Diamondbacks hurler Daniel Hudson took an encouraging step in his recovery Tuesday when he threw off a mound for the first time since a right shoulder injury forced him onto the disabled list April 21.
Manager Kirk Gibson said the team will wait to see how Hudson’s shoulder responds in the coming days before moving forward with his rehabilitation.
“We’ll see how he feels tomorrow,” Gibson said. “If that’s good, he’ll throw a bullpen [session] probably in two days then in three days he might throw live. If he doesn’t feel so good, we’ll do two bullpens.”
Gibson acknowledged throwing off a mound is a huge step forward in Hudson’s recovery because it brings about another set of challenges.
“It puts different strains on your body and your arm,” Gibson explained. You have to get the ball down, extend [the arm] more so it’s a different motion. He got sore throwing off a mound. You can’t just expect that it’s not going to happen if you don’t correct something.”
Hudson may need to make amendments to his warm-ups when he returns from the injury to stay healthy going forward.
“I think maybe he was weak in certain areas they spent a lot of time strengthening, and hopefully he’ll be able to finish strongly,” Gibson said.
Hudson is an integral member of the D-backs rotation this season and his return should provide a spark to the entire squad.
The 25-year-old right-hander went 16-12 with a 3.49 ERA in his first full season in the majors in 2011.
