SEATTLE (AP) -- Twins second baseman Orlando Hudson received good news from tests on his surgically repaired left wrist: There's no structural damage following a scary collision with teammate Denard Span.
Manager Ron Gardenhire said Monday that the four-time Gold Glove winner had a CT scan, after initial X-rays were inconclusive.
The scan showed only remnants of old injuries. Hudson reported increased movement in the wrist on Monday, and Twins general manager Bill Smith said in an e-mail that the team is hoping Hudson can be back in two or three days.
"It's a huge relief. That's good news. He's definitely a vital cog," said Michael Cuddyer, who started at second base Monday for the Twins for the first time in five years.
Hudson did not make the Twins' trip to Seattle for Monday's series opener. The team expected him to arrive Tuesday.
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Gardenhire said he has no idea when Hudson will play again. He said the two-time All-Star, who is batting .305 for his new team this season, was very sore.
Hudson sprinted out and Span charged in from deep in the outfield on a ninth-inning popup by Texas' Vladimir Guerrero on Sunday with two on and two outs and Minnesota leading 6-3. Hudson's left arm hit Span's midsection, sending the center fielder spinning like a top while he made a lunging catch to end the game.
The Twins gathered around both players as they lay prone on the grass, and nearly 40,000 fans held their breath for several long moments until Span and Hudson were able to get up and walk off the field.
"I was definitely scared after we collided," Span said.
The team was relieved the scan showed only remnants from surgery Hudson had to repair a torn ligament in his hand in 2007 and a surgery to his wrist in 2008.
"It's kind of a muddled mess in there from all the surgeries he's had," Gardenhire said.
Cuddyer made his first start at second base since July 23, 2005. He grew up as a shortstop and was Minnesota's regular third baseman through 2005. He's primarily been the team's right fielder since then.
Cuddyer said he and third baseman Nick Punto came up with the idea that Cuddyer would play second during the flight to Seattle early Monday morning. He carries a middle infielder glove "just in case."
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When they went up to Gardenhire to volunteer Cuddyer for the job, the manager told them he'd already been thinking that way.
That's because infielder Alexi Casilla is still feeling pain in his elbow while throwing and hitting. He is taking anti-inflammatories and is very limited even in a bench role.
"Now I won't speak just to hear myself talk," Cuddyer joked of being back among teammates in the middle of the diamond, rather than alone out in right field.
