Padres 2B Hudson out of lineup with groin injury

Second baseman Orlando Hudson is out of the San Diego Padres' starting lineup 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 Wednesday night. 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.