Hurdle 'not ready to pull the plug' on Hudson as late-inning reliever

CINCINNATI — This is not the first time in Daniel Hudson's career that he's experienced a difficult stretch, but knowing better days are ahead does not make the process any less agonizing.

Clint Hurdle is not ready to panic though, not even after Hudson's walk and throwing error led to the Reds scoring the winning run in the 10th inning Monday night.

"I think we'll see how the bullpen continues to work itself out, but he's a guy we signed aggressively in the offseason to pitch later innings," Hurdle said Tuesday afternoon. "I'm not ready to pull the plug on that right now."

Entering tonight's 7:10 p.m. game against the Reds at Great American Ball Park, opponents are batting .397 against Hudson, who has allowed 11 earned runs in 10 2/3 innings. It's small sample size, but it's a far cry from what the Pirates expected when they signed him to a two-year, $11 million contract in the offseason to handle the eighth inning.



He has overcome much more difficult stretches, though. Hudson allowed 25 earned runs in 17 innings between June 1st and July 31st last season. He then allowed only seven runs during his final 27 appearances in the regular season for the Diamondbacks.

The Pirates are hopeful for a similar turnaround to bolster the back end of their bullpen, and Hurdle remains optimistic because of the indicators that led the club to pursue Hudson in the first place, particularly his swing and miss rate with his changeup, as well as his spin rate.

"It’s a frustrating little couple of games for me," Hudson said. "It is what it is. I’ve been through worse and I’ll just keep working, keep putting the work in on the side. Trying to push through it and go out there the next time they need me to go out there. Try to make some pitches. It’s just kind of everything."

He led the majors in spin rate with his changeup in 2015, but is having no such success early in 2017. Hudson has allowed eight runs over his last 1 2/3 innings. That includes his forgettable outing in Miami on Sunday, when the Marlins scored five runs on four hits against Hudson, who got only one out before getting pulled.

"I just haven’t done anything really particularly well the first month, little over a month," Hudson said. "Even when I go out there without giving up a run I still manage to throw 25 or 30 pitches. It puts my availability in doubt for the next night and it’s not helping the team very much right now. It’s super frustrating, but I’ve been through this and I’ll get through it and will be better for it."

The Pirates must find a solution in the interim. Hurdle did not rule out using Hudson in the eighth inning tonight, but he does have two options he can turn to. Felipe Rivero has been outstanding through the first 25 games, allowing only one earned run in 16 innings with 15 strikeouts and only four walks. Juan Nicasio is also an option, according to Hurdle.

Hurdle has no reservations using Rivero, a lefty, in front of Tony Watson in the bullpen either. Right-handed hitters are batting just .216 against Rivero, who was acquired from the Nationals in the Mark Melancon trade last July. He also has experience in the eighth inning.

Rivero has four appearances in the eighth inning this season, and has earned Hurdle's confidence in high-leverage situations.

"I think we've already looked at opportunities," Hurdle said about possibly moving Rivero back in the bullpen. "There's been days when he was going to close if we got that opportunity, we just didn't have a lead late and you weren't aware of it. ... He's earned everything he needs to earn right now other than being named the closer."

The plan remains to stick with Hudson, and he's eager to earn the trust of his manager. Hudson would not say if he would prefer to enter a low-leverage situation during his next appearance, but wants the chance to get on the mound as soon as possible.

Frustration is mounting, but his experience with the Diamondbacks a year ago — particularly his ability to work his way back after the difficult two-months stretch — provides reason for optimism.

"It’s a little bit of everything," Hudson said. "You press a little bit and things get out of whack. You try to do too much and things start snowballing. You can’t really stop it. That’s where I’m at right now. Hopefully I’ll get a couple of clean ones under my belt, get back on the right foot and I’ll be fine."

• Hurdle said Adam Frazier arrived at Great American Ball Park early Tuesday to take infield and batting practice, as well as agility exercises. A base-running workout has been scheduled and he's expected to begin a rehab assignment later this week, barring any setbacks with his left hamstring injury. He's eligible to come off the 10-day disabled list following tomorrow's game against the Reds.

• John Jaso is batting cleanup and playing right field tonight, and Jose Osuna is starting in left. Gregory Polanco was given the day off, though Hurdle said he can play if needed. Elias Diaz is starting at catcher and batting sixth after Chris Stewart played the past two games.

Alen Hanson is starting at second after Phil Gosselin played there Monday night.

"Seventeen straight games, looking for opportunities to get guys off their feet," Hurdle said of the lineup. "We'll use Polanco off the bench today. ... We're going to find time for everybody. This isn't a park (Polanco) has hit really well in his career, either, if you pull back some layers and look at the numbers."