Call to the pen
Fansided

St. Louis Cardinals finally make needed move with Dakota Hudson

By David Hill

St. Louis Cardinals starting pitcher Dakota Hudson (43) returns to the dugout after the first inning of the MLB National League game between the Cincinnati Reds and the St. Louis Cardinals at Great American Ball Park in downtown Cincinnati on Tuesday, Aug. 30, 2022.St Louis Cardinals At Cincinnati Reds
St. Louis Cardinals starting pitcher Dakota Hudson (43) returns to the dugout after the first inning of the MLB National League game between the Cincinnati Reds and the St. Louis Cardinals at Great American Ball Park in downtown Cincinnati on Tuesday, Aug. 30, 2022.St Louis Cardinals At Cincinnati Reds /
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The other shoe has dropped for St. Louis Cardinals starter Dakota Hudson.

He had been in the Cardinals’ rotation out of necessity at this point. While he had been a solid part of their rotation in the past, Hudson had been inconsistent at best this season, his strikeout rate plummeting while his already shaky walk rate shows that he has not fully found his way back to form after Tommy John surgery knocked out most of his 2021 campaign.

Dakota Hudson will not be away from the St. Louis Cardinals for long

It was not a surprise that Hudson would lose his spot in the rotation when Jack Flaherty was set to return. However, it was a surprise that the Cardinals optioned Hudson back to Triple-A, a move that could potentially just be a break as he is expected back to start on September 17.

Something definitely needed to be done with Hudson. His 2022 campaign has not been what anyone would have wanted as he has posted a 4.43 ERA and a 1.421 WHiP over his 126 innings, striking out just 72 batters with 56 walks. Although he was still generating ground balls at an impressive rate, his command issues and inability to get strikeouts when he needed limited his effectiveness.

His struggles have been worse in the second half of the season. Hudson has a 5.52 ERA and a 1.636 WHiP in his 29.1 innings since the All Star Break, striking out 19 batters with 14 walks. As he had pitched a combined 47.2 major league innings over the previous two years, fatigue could be a factor.

Maybe a stint in Triple-A will help as he will get a chance to take a break. That time off could allow him time to reset, give his arm some rest, and return to form. In that case, he could be an option over the final few weeks, either in the rotation if needed or as a bullpen option. Hudson could even be a useful piece in the postseason, especially with his groundball ways. But he has to get right first.

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The St. Louis Cardinals had to make a move with Dakota Hudson. That move resulted in his being sent to Triple-A for the next few days.

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