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