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The Honolulu Advertiser
Updated at 2:00 p.m., Friday, February 20, 2009

MLB: AP Source: Dodgers reach agreement with Hudson

By KEN PETERS
AP Sports Writer

PHOENIX — Orlando Hudson has reached an agreement on a $3.8 million, one-year contract with the Los Angeles Dodgers, who would use the former All-Star to replace retired second baseman Jeff Kent.

The deal is contingent on Hudson's passing a physical, a person familiar with the negotiations said Friday, speaking on condition of anonymity because the Dodgers have not announced the agreement.

A three-time Gold Glove winner and .282 career hitter, Hudson had season-ending surgery on his left wrist during each of the past two years with the Arizona Diamondbacks.

His agreement was reported earlier by other media outlets. He could make additional performance bonuses based on plate appearances.

Hudson figures to combine with shortstop Rafael Furcal to give the Dodgers one of the top defensive middle infields in the major leagues.

He missed Arizona's final 21 games in 2007 after tearing a wrist ligament, then hurt it again last Aug. 9 when while chasing an errant throw by pitcher Juan Cruz, he collided with Atlanta's Brian McCann. He was hitting a career-best .305 at the time and had an operation to repair a dislocated bone.

His best year was in 2006, when he had 15 homers with 67 RBIs and 87 runs.