Southern Illinois product Bryan Hudson brings funky stuff to White Sox bullpen
SEATTLE — The White Sox’ newest relief pitcher isn’t hard to point out in the clubhouse. At 6-8, Bryan Hudson is now the tallest listed player on the roster — and one of its most imposing on the mound.
“Just funky, is how I like to put it,” said Hudson, the southern Illinois native whom the Sox claimed off waivers from the Brewers over the weekend and called up from Triple-A Charlotte on Tuesday. “I’m a big lefty, with a lot of long limbs kind of flailing at you, so that’s just how it’s gonna be every time.”
Hudson, 28, went 0-1 with a 4.35 ERA in 12 appearances this season before the high-flying Brewers left him unprotected. But Hudson put himself on the Sox’ radar last year with a 6-1 record and 1.73 ERA in 43 outings.
Hudson struck out Mariners MVP candidate Cal Raleigh but gave up four hits, including a two-run homer to perennial Sox killer Josh Naylor in the seventh inning of the Sox’ 8-3 loss.
“Coming off a really good last year, I just tried to get back up and comfortable in the big leagues to compete and stay here,” he said. “That’s all I need, is an opportunity.”
Manager Will Venable praised Hudson’s “unique arm angles. Just a really impactful arm for us that we can use in different ways.”
Hudson was drafted by the Cubs in 2015, but he didn’t need a Sox jersey to confirm his side in the crosstown rivalry. He grew up a Cardinals fan near downstate Alton, Illinois.
“Yeah, we don’t care for those guys,” he joked.
Meidroth misses another start
Infielder Chase Meidroth missed a fourth straight start Tuesday after being hit on the thumb by a pitch last week in the series finale against the Phillies.
Meidroth, who spent almost two weeks on the injured list earlier this year with inflammation in the same thumb, was a late defensive replacement Sunday, “but the hand’s just not a spot where we’re comfortable putting him in there,” Venable said.
“Still day-to-day as far as the swing goes, but obviously we’re comfortable with him out there in the field,” he said of the rookie second baseman and shortstop, who the Sox are hoping can be a mainstay alongside Colson Montgomery for years to come.
Meidroth’s .330 on-base percentage had made him a regular near the top of Venable’s lineup cards. But his absence further strains an infield that’s losing Miguel Vargas for at least a few weeks with an oblique strain.
Josh Rojas has seen more time at second and third of late, while utility man Brooks Baldwin has shifted from the outfield to third. Newcomer Curtis Mead was still awaiting his Sox debut a few days after arriving via trade.
“It’s the next guy up, and it’s been that way the whole year,” Venable said. “We like our guys that are going to backfill here.”
Coming and going
In moves corresponding with Hudson’s call-up, the Sox brought back rookie first baseman Tim Elko from the injured list after a knee injury, but optioned him to Charlotte. Elko has flashed power but struggled at the plate with 28 strikeouts in 62 big-league at-bats.
Right-handed reliever Owen White was sent down, too.
Starter Martin Perez labored in his first rehab start at Charlotte over the weekend as he works his way back from an elbow injury. Perez, who has been out since mid-April, gave up two earned runs in 2⅔ innings of four-hit ball on Saturday.
He’s expected to make at least two more rehab starts before rejoining the rotation.