MLB: Hudson finalizes two-year, $11M deal to return to the Nationals’ bullpen

WASHINGTON—Daniel Hudson thought the door was closed on returning to the Nationals when they signed fellow reliever Will Harris.

But Hudson wanted to be back with Washington and general manager Mike Rizzo shared the same sentiment. So, Hudson and the team agreed to a twoyear, $11 million (U.S.) deal that was finalized Tuesday.

Not long ago, the bullpen was a major weakness. Now, the reigning World Series champions can deal from a position of strength by turning to Hudson, Harris and holdover Sean Doolittle.

“Recreating what we had is going to be tough, but I feel like I want to try to be a part of that,” Hudson said on a conference call with reporters. “The window to continue winning in D.C. is definitely still open, and I’d like to be a part of that still.” á Thinking outside the Bronx:

After an investigation that New York Yankees GM Brian Cashman liked to call “CSI: The Bronx,” the Yankees went outside the organization to fix their problem with injuries. New York had a record-number of injuries that sent 30 players to the injured list in 2019, so the team shook up the staff that tends to the players’ health and training. Tuesday they officially announced that Eric Cressey, whose private work with majorleaguers is well-documented, will oversee the changes as the director of player health and performance.

The most dramatic change was the removal of long-time trainer Steve Donohue from the dugout; he was moved into the role of director of medical services.

Creesey, who will be allowed to continue his private work with Cressey Sports Performance, has been directing the off-season training regimens for more than 100 professional baseball players. Those majorleaguers include Nationals ace Max Scherzer. He has also worked with Mets pitcher Noah Syndergaard.

á Let it go: The Philadelphia Phillies cut outfielder Odubel Herrera and claimed outfielder Nick Martini off waivers.

Herrera was designated for assignment on Tuesday to make room on the roster for Martini. Herrera was suspended last season under Major League Baseball’s domestic violence policy following his arrest at a casino in Atlantic City, N.J., on domestic assault charges.

The charges against Herrera were dismissed, but the 2016 all-star remained on the suspended list.

The Phillies owe Herrera $19.5 million. The 28-year-old Herrera has a .276 career average, .333 on-base percentage and .423 slugging percentage.

Herrera hit .222 with one home run and 16 RBIs in 39 games and lost his starting job last year before his suspension.