Tim Hudson has ankle surgery, should be ready for opening day
San Francisco Giants right-hander Tim Hudson just underwent surgery to remove bone spurs from his right ankle but he anticipates being in uniform with the defending World Series champions on opening day.
It’s the same ankle that Hudson fractured in 2013 after a freak collision at first base.
The expected recovery time is eight weeks, which would put Hudson back on the field in early March just as the Giants begin Cactus League play. The 39-year-old, who is entering the final year of his current deal and has hinted at retirement at the end of this season, went 9-13 with a 3.57 ERA over 189 1/3 innings in 2014.
With Hudson’s injury and age, Matt Cain coming off elbow surgery, and Tim Lincecum not even close to the perennial Cy Young candidate he once was, the Giants would be wise to consider adding starting pitching depth in case anything happens to the arms behind ace Madison Bumgarner. However, it has been reported that San Francisco is out on free agent starters Max Scherzer and James Shields and according to assistant general manager Bobby Evans they don’t feel the need to make any drastic moves:
That’s what the farm system is for. That’s what your nonroster invites are for. That’s where [Yusmeiro] Petit is so valuable.
The good news for the Giants is that Hudson’s injury isn’t too serious, and we know the veteran who is known for his fiery nature won’t let it hold him back in what could be his last year in the big leagues.
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