Orlando Hudson in lineup

The head-first slide that knocked Orlando Hudson from Thursday's game isn't keeping him out of action tonight.

The Minnesota Twins' second baseman is in the lineup and batting second as usual in tonight's series opener against the Chicago White Sox.

Hudson took a bit of a beating in Anaheim. He took a breaking ball off the left kneecap in the seventh inning of Monday's opener -- he stayed in that game -- and then left on Thursday after hitting the bag awkwardly while stretching for a double.

Beyond leadoff man Denard Span and Hudson, Twins manager Ron Gardenhire is mixing up his lineup a little tonight. Catcher Joe Mauer has the night off, so shortstop J.J. Hardy will hit third and Sal Drew Butera will make his major-league debut behind the plate, hitting ninth.

UPDATE, 7:25 p.m.:>/b> Or maybe Hudson's not quite recovered. The veteran made a rookie mistake in the top of the first inning, breaking for third base on a flare to short center that turned into an inning-ending double play. The Twins loaded the bases with no outs and left with nothing.

Tom Pelissero is Senior Editor and columnist for 1500ESPN.com. He hosts from 6 to 8 p.m. weeknights and co-hosts from 10 a.m. to noon Sundays on 1500 ESPN Twin Cities.
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