Hudson pitches in bigs for 1st time since 2012

SAN DIEGO (AP) Daniel Hudson returned from two reconstructive elbow operations to pitch in the big leagues for the first time in more than two years, and David Peralta drove in two runs to help the Arizona Diamondbacks beat the San Diego Padres 6-1 Wednesday night.

Hudson became the fourth pitcher to undergo Tommy John surgery in consecutive years and return to the majors. Hudson, who won 16 games for Arizona in 2011, retired the side in the eighth on 13 pitches and was warmly greeted by his teammates when he reached the dugout.

Hudson hadn't pitched since June 26, 2012, when he originally tore his ulnar collateral ligament. He underwent surgery 15 days later, performed by the late Dr. Lewis Yocum. Hudson tore the ligament again during a rehab start with Double-A Mobile on June 4, 2013, and was operated on two weeks later by Dr. James Andrews.