(AP) -- SAN DIEGO -- The San Diego Padres shook up their struggling middle infield by waiving second baseman Orlando Hudson on Thursday and placing light-hitting shortstop Jason Bartlett on the 15-day disabled list with a strained right knee.
The Padres recalled shortstop Everth Cabrera and second baseman Alexi Amarista from Triple-A Tucson, and both were in the lineup for Thursday night's game against the NL West-leading Los Angeles Dodgers.
The Padres have the worst record in the NL, 14-24.
In addition, the club claimed left-hander Eric Stults off waivers from the Chicago White Soxwith a corresponding move to be made when he reports to San Diego.
"We felt it was time to make a change," general manager Josh Byrnes said in a statement. "O-Dog has been a two-time All-Star, four-time Gold Glove winner and a contributor to playoff teams, but at this point, we want to give our younger players an opportunity."
Hudson was hitting .211 with one homer and 11 RBIs. Bartlett, whose move to the DL was retroactive to Tuesday, was hitting .133 with four RBIs.
The Padres signed Hudson to an $11.5 million, two-year contract before the 2011 season to replace David Eckstein. Hudson was making $5.5 million this year, with a $2 million buyout for next year.
Cabrera made his big league debut with the Padres in 2009.
Amarista was acquired by the Padres from the Angels along with right-hander Donn Roach in exchange for right-hander Ernesto Frieri on May 3. The left-handed hitting Amarista made the Angels' opening day roster, appearing in one game as a pinch runner before being optioned to Triple-A Salt Lake.
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