Daniel Hudson was a top-of-the-rotation starter before two Tommy John surgeries got in the way, and D-backs manager Chip Hale sees no reason a healthy Hudson could not return to the rotation this season.
"He's that special (a) guy," Hale said. "He's got dominating stuff. As long as he is healthy, we know he is going to be a key part of this team. He has the ability to throw a fastball that people don't square up. If his secondary stuff is on, he's one of those guys with a chance to be dominant every time out.
Hudson gave up one hit in two innings in the D-backs' 10-5 split-squad victory over San Francisco at Salt River Fields. He hit 94 mph several times and struck out Brandon Belt on a two-seam fastball on the outer half of the plate to end the first inning.
Hudson made three relief appearances for the D-back last September but had not started since June 6, 2013, at Double-A Mobile, when he felt elbow discomfort that led to his second surgery.
"I think every time I take the mound for the foreseeable future I am going to be a little bit nervous," Hudson said. "For the most part, once you get on the mound, the adrenaline and the competitiveness takes over and you don't really think about anything else."
Hudson is scheduled to pitch again Friday, and the D-backs will be monitoring the next few days to make sure he recovers well. He has not thrown two innings in a game since 2013.
"We'll see how I feel tomorrow and the days after that. We check it every day and go from there," said Hudson, who was 16-12 with a 3.49 ERA in 2011.
The start was a little like starting over, Hudson saying he could not immediately remember his pregame routine.
"It was good to get back out there and get the first one under my belt," he said.
Daniel Hudson
Sunday: Hudson gave up only an infield single in two innings, throwing 35 pitches, 23 for strikes. He struck out Brandon Belt to end an eight-pitch at-bat as part of a 1-2-3 first inning.
Impressions: The key to Hudson's outings this spring will be how he recovers from the workload.
Jeremy Hellickson
Sunday: Hellickson gave up only a single in two innings and struck out one in his first appearance of the spring in a 12-2 split-squad victory over the Giants at Scottsdale Stadium.
Impressions: General manager Dave Stewart said he expected Hellickson to slot into the second or third spot in the rotation, and by starting the day after Opening Day starter Josh Collmenter, he lines up for the No. 2 spot. Nothing is firm.
Right-hander Yoan Lopez gave up six hits and four runs in a 1-2/3 innings in his professional debut, following Hudson at Salt River Fields. The Giants hit for the cycle in four-run third inning. "I was definitely a little bit anxious because of my debut, but my emotions were under control," Lopez, 22, said through Hatuey Mendoza. "Breaking the ice was the most important thing. Life continues. This is just the beginning of my career." Location was an issue Sunday, with the Giants getting their hits on balls up in the strike zone. "He kept his poise out there," Hale said. ... Mark Trumbo hit his second homer in as many games with a two-run homer to right-center field after hitting one to left field in Peoria on Saturday. "Any time you can drive the ball, I think it is a good thing," Trumbo said. "Overall as a team, that was more impressive today. The energy passed down the line." The D-backs combined for 22 runs and 28 hits in the split-squad sweep. ... Third baseman Yasmany Tomas tripled to right-center in four at-bats while playing six innings at third base. He made a back-handed stop on a hard-hit ball to his right in the second inning but dropped it on the transfer, a ball that was ruled a hit. He mishandled a ball for an error in the fourth inning. "There were a couple of plays he should have made and he didn't," Hale said.
Chris Owings has continued to take batting practice since first swinging Friday and is tentatively scheduled to play in a B game Wednesday, where he could lead off every inning and get four-five at-bats. Hale said he hoped to get Owings into his first spring training game this weekend. ... Brad Ziegler continues to progress and is to throw a batting practice session later in the week. The D-backs feel that Ziegler, like Addison Reed, remains on track for Opening Day.
Probable pitchers: Diamondbacks -- RHP Chase Anderson, RHP Rubby De La Rosa, RHP Aaron Blair, RHP Blake Beavan, LHP Will Locante. White Sox -- LHP Jose Quintana, RHP Brad Penny, LHP Zach Duke, LHP Onelki Garcia, RHP Matt Albers, RHP Zach Putnam, LHP Zack Phillips, RHP Maikel Cleto.
