Category: Dailies

Hudson Passes Physical

Orlando Hudson, who suffered a dislocated left wrist that ended his 2008 season, passed a physical exam Saturday and officially was signed to a one-year contract by the Dodgers to play second base. Hudson will receive a $3.38 million base salary and performance incentives that could take his salary up to $8 million. — Ken Gurnick

Pitchers Face Hitters

For the first time this Spring, Dodgers pitchers threw live batting practice Saturday. Among those on the mound were Chad Billingsley and fifth-starter contenders Eric Milton, Shawn Estes, Jeff Weaver, Claudio Vargas and Ramon Troncoso.

Manager Joe Torre said Cory Wade, who underwent a cortisone injection earlier in the week for shoulder irritation, has had his return to throwing delayed a day until Monday. Yhency Brazoban also might resume throwing then. Travis Schlichting still is bothered by lower back stiffness. — Ken Gurnick

Hudson En Route for Physical

Orlando Hudson was expected to arrive at Camelback Ranch-Glendale Saturday morning for his physical exam. If his healing left wrist passes, he will become the Dodgers’ new second baseman, displacing Blake DeWitt, after agreeing to a one-year deal for $3.38 million with incentives that could take it to $8 million. Manager Joe Torre said he spoke with DeWitt and told him his role has not been decided, but that he should work out at several positions, including shortstop. It’s conceivable Hudson’s dislocated wrist wouldn’t be 100 percent by Opening Day and DeWitt could still make the club. As for a utility role, Torre implied that a healthy Tony Abreu would be more likely because he can play shortstop, presumably with DeWitt playing every day at Triple-A. But Abreu needs to show he’s shaken two years of injuries.

 

Torre indicated a healthy switch-hitting Hudson would be a good fit to bat second behind Rafael Furcal and that he might move Casey Blake to left field (and DeWitt to third), but that was more a double-switch option than for every-day positioning. Torre emphasized he still is counting on unsigned free agent Manny Ramirez to start in left field. — Ken Gurnick

Schmidt to Debut Monday

Jason Schmidt, on the comeback from two shoulder operations, will pitch one inning of an intrasquad game Monday as he launches his bid to win the fifth starter spot. Jonathan Broxton, who leaves March 1 for the World Baseball Classic, also will throw in the game. The remainder of the pitchers, according to manager Joe Torre: Erick Threets, Greg Miller, Scott Elbert, Justin Orenduff, Jesus Castillo, Brent Leach, Victor Garate and Jacobo Meque. — Ken Gurnick

Minor League Minicamp Opens

A year ago, it included Clayton Kershaw and Blake DeWitt, so the Dodgers Minor League minicamp that opened Friday really can have an impact on the season. Among the players invited, or in other words, the top prospects in the organization: Andrew Lambo, Josh Bell, Josh Lindblom, Pedro Baez, Ethan Martin and Nathan Eovaldi. — Ken Gurnick

 

Dodgers Sign Hudson

The Dodgers and free-agent second baseman Orlando Hudson have agreed on a one-year contract with a base of $3.4 million and incentives that could take the total to $8 million, baseball sources confirmed Friday. Hudson will take over for the retired Jeff Kent, displacing Blake DeWitt, who came into Spring Training as the starting second baseman. Terms were not available. The deal apparently came together when it was reported that the Dodgers were also talking with free agent infielder Orlando Cabrera. — Ken Gurnick

Don’t Forget Abreu

Two years ago, Tony Abreu nearly made the Major League club out of Spring Training. But a series of injuries kept him off the field for the last 1 1/2 seasons and triggered organizational grumbling that he was soft. Now, coming off arthroscopic hip surgery, Abreu could resume his career as a key utility player, according to manager Joe Torre, because he can play second base, third base and shortstop. Torre said his bench shapes up a little light at first base, although he said Mark Loretta and Casey Blake can play the position. He said Andre Ethier again volunteered to work at the position. — Ken Gurnick

Torre’s Injury Update

Here’s a bulletin — pitcher Yhency Brazoban has a sore shoulder and can’t throw. Brazoban hasn’t been healthy since 2005 because of elbow and shoulder surgeries. Manager Joe Torre also said catcher Russell Martin continues to improve from a sore foot; Cory Wade has responded to a cortisone injection in his shouder and might resume throwing Sunday; Travis Schlichting’s stiff back has improved and he will begin tossing. — Ken Gurnick

Dodgers Talking to Cabrera

The Dodgers, apparently uncertain they can work a deal for free-agent second baseman Orlando Hudson, have opened talks with free-agent infielder Orlando Cabrera. The 34-year-old Cabrera, a two-time Gold Glove shortstop, told the club he would be willing to move to second base, where Blake DeWitt entered Spring Training as the heir apparent to retired second baseman Jeff Kent. Shortstop is locked up with the re-signing of Rafael Furcal to a three-year, $30 million deal. Cabrera earned $10 million last year playing for the Chicago White Sox and, like Hudson, was seeking riches in the free-agent market that collapsed along with the global economy. — Ken Gurnick

Torre Likes Clubhouse Attitude

The Dodgers gutted the roster with the departure of 15 free agents over the winter. Manager Joe Torre didn’t make a linkage, but he likes this year’s clubhouse better than last year’s.

“Overall, there seems to be a lighter mood in the clubhouse,” he said. “It could be my imagination. It just seems everybody is having a little more fun.”

Torre joined the fun during the speech he made before the first full-squad workout with a joke about clubhouse confidentiality that made reference to his best-selling book, “The Yankee Years.” Among the criticisms that Torre has fended off since the release of the book was that it would negatively impact his relationship with his current club.

Among those who also addressed that first meeting was club vice chairman and president Jamie McCourt.

Torre also conceded Thursday that he overworked reliever Cory Wade during a stretch last August that left the right-hander on the disabled list with shoulder inflammation. Wade is already sidelined again with irritation in the same location. — Ken Gurnick