Tim Hudson not sure when he will return to Giants

ATLANTA -- Few athletes, no matter how successful, get to go out just as it might have been scripted.

Tim Hudson was almost an exception.

The Columbus native and Auburn resident didn't make it out of the second inning, though, in San Francisco's Game 7 victory in the World Series last season, taking away a little of the personal satisfaction, and the right-hander had another year on his contract with the Giants anyway.

Now, after turning 40 on July 14, Hudson's body isn't letting him finish up the way he'd have liked.

The four-time All-Star indicated during spring training that this was likely his final season. Now it's close to a certainty.

"This is probably it for sure," Hudson said Tuesday while sitting at his locker in the visiting clubhouse at Turner Field. "At 40, things just don't recover like they used to. Physically, I know this it is from a playing standpoint."

The 220-game winner is on the disabled list with a strained pitching shoulder, which made him just a uniformed spectator for the Giants' three-game series against the Braves, the team that he won 113 games for in the middle of his 17-year career.

Hudson last pitched on July 27, when he labored through five innings to defeat the Oakland A's -- his original team -- and become just the 15 pitcher with victories over all the other 30 major league teams.

He had just ended a three-week stint on the disabled list a start before and the milestone victory made him 6-8 with a 4.80 ERA.

Hudson just wasn't able to pitch up to his old standards, and the Giants made a move to upgrade at the non-waiver trade deadline, acquiring Mike Leake from Cincinnati.

Hudson couldn't disagree with the trade, even though it cost him a starting spot. His shoulder wasn't right and the Giants are chasing the rival Los Angeles Dodgers for first place in the National League West.

"I wished I was pitching well enough to where we didn't have to make a move," Hudson said. "But for us to win a world championship, we needed to bring somebody else into the rotation."

Hudson went back on the disabled list, his role for the rest of his final season uncertain.

"I could still pitch right now, probably," Hudson said. "But my arm isn't bouncing back like it needs to."

Hudson will be eligible to come off the disabled list before mid-August, but it may not be until active rosters expand on Sept. 1 before he is activated.

With the addition of Leake, the Giants' rotation is set for the moment, and Hudson has made just one major league relief appearance. Moving from center field to the mound to close out a game for Auburn is a distant memory.

"Obviously, I want to get back pitching and help this club on the field," Hudson said. "But at the same time, I don't want my chance to be because someone in the rotation got hurt.

"I think I could pitch out of the bullpen. In some ways it might be less taxing on my arm. But right now things are pretty well set there, too.

"I'm sure I'll pitch again. I just don't know right now when or in what role. I'm willing to do anything to help the team. Things will work out one way or the other."

Hudson overcame Tommy John surgery and then a gruesome ankle injury to keep his career going, signing with the Giants as a free agent after the Braves low-balled a contract offer.

But you can only keep pitching so long and Hudson doesn't anticipate a continued role in major league baseball after he retires as a player.

"I think I'm more along the high school or college thing," he said. "There's a lot of time away from home in pro baseball. I'd want to stay a little more local."

Hudson has two daughters and a son, who at 10 is now really getting into baseball.

Hudson can see himself helping out at his children's school and he'd certainly like to expand his support of his college alma mater.

"I'm an Auburn guy. I love Auburn sports and especially Auburn baseball," he said. "I've always been available to help anyway I can and in the future I'd love to volunteer there. I'd enjoy being around as much as I could."

Of course, Hudson will also be sure to find extra time for hunting and fishing.

Soon, the pitcher and prankster affectionately known as "Huddy" will be back home full time.

No matter how his career ends, it will have been quite a journey.

"What a great ride," Hudson said.

This story was originally published August 5, 2015 at 7:10 PM with the headline "Tim Hudson not sure when he will return to Giants ."