Major League Baseball

Padres 2B Hudson out of lineup with groin injury

Published Aug. 11, 2011 12:10 a.m. ET

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Second baseman Orlando Hudson was out of the San Diego Padres' starting lineup Wednesday night against the New York Mets because of a strained right groin.

Hudson left Tuesday night's loss in the fifth inning after hurting himself while chasing a foul ball. He said Wednesday that his groin just tightened up and he was feeling better.

Hudson said he would be available off the bench to run or pinch-hit. Padres manager Bud Black said the team was ''cautiously optimistic'' that the four-time Gold Glove winner would be able to avoid the disabled list.

Alberto Gonzalez, who replaced Hudson on Tuesday, was set to start at second base Wednesday night.

Hudson was batting .241 with three homers, 28 RBIs and 15 stolen bases. He has been on the disabled list twice this season, because of a strained left groin and a strained right hamstring.

''We're going to hang onto him here for a few days. Hopefully this resolves itself and we don't have to make a move,'' Black said.

In other injury news, Black said it's possible catcher Nick Hundley will rejoin the team this weekend in Cincinnati. Hundley is on a rehab assignment with Double-A San Antonio. He has been sidelined since having arthroscopic surgery on his right elbow July 8.