The Padres have unconditionally released second baseman Orlando Hudson, the club announced Thursday afternoon. “We felt it was time to make a change,” said general manager Josh Byrnes. “O-Dog has been a two-time All-Star, four-time Gold Glove winner and a contributor to playoff teams, but at this point, we want to give our younger players an opportunity.”
The Padres also placed shortstop Jason Bartlett on the disabled list, claimed pitcher Eric Stults off waivers from the White Sox and recalled shortstop Everth Cabrera and second baseman Alexi Amarista from Triple-A Tucson.
Hudson, 34, was hitting .211/.260/.317 with 11 runs, three steals and an MLB-best five triples before being set loose. He'll surely get another shot, though it's entirely possible he's washed up.
It appears the Padres are ready to see what Cabrera (SS) and Amarista (2B) can do as their double-play combo for the time being, judging from Byrnes' quote.
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