SAN FRANCISCO -- Tim Hudson hardly envisioned his career crossing the country once more to bring him back to the Bay Area. [url=

SAN FRANCISCO -- Tim Hudson hardly envisioned his career crossing the country once more to bring him back to the Bay Area. Wholesale Grizzlies Jerseys Authentic . Hudson finalized a $23 million, two-year contract with the San Francisco Giants on Tuesday, returning the pitcher to his professional baseball roots. He began his big league career with Oakland. "Id like to start out by saying were really excited to come back to the bay. This is where I started my career," Hudson said. "Making a trip back across the country quite honestly isnt something I anticipated a couple years ago. When the Giants were interested in me, I quickly realized it was going to be a definite possibility." While Hudson had a hard time deciding to leave the Braves -- the team he grew up cheering -- he understood this would be a great opportunity with a franchise that won the World Series in 2010 and 12. His two daughters were born in the Bay Area. Hudson had a physical Monday, and the team announced the agreement Tuesday. "Once we got the physical squared away, there was no question he was going to become a Giant," said general manager Brian Sabean, who credited the pitcher for his swift decision. Hudson made his major league debut with the Athletics in 1999 and went 92-39 in six seasons with Oakland, where the right-hander teamed with Mark Mulder and Barry Zito to form a successful "Big Three." The 38-year-old went 8-7 with a 3.97 ERA in 21 starts this season for Atlanta. His season was cut short by a broken right ankle that required surgery. The Braves earlier this month declined to make a qualifying offer to Hudson, who won 49 games during the previous three seasons. Hudson was hurt July 24 in New York when the Mets Eric Young Jr. inadvertently stepped on the back of the pitchers lower right leg while Hudson covered first base. While he hasnt begun running on the ankle yet, he had a screw removed last week and expects to be full strength for spring training. "The ankles coming along just fine, not quite 100 per cent right now but its well on its way," he said. "I anticipate in the next month or so start throwing bullpens." San Francisco, which missed the playoffs this year, is seeking another starter to join Matt Cain, Madison Bumgarner and Tim Lincecum in a rotation losing Zito and probably also free-agent righty Ryan Vogelsong. Cain and Bumgarner are signed long term, while Lincecum received a $35 million, two-year deal last month. "They have a ton of talent here, I was excited to join this rotation," Hudson said. "Theyre really good. They probably dont need my help." Hudson was drafted by the As in the sixth round of the 1997 amateur draft out of Auburn. Oakland traded Hudson to the Braves in December 2004 and he pitched nine seasons in Atlanta. The three-time All-Star earned NL Comeback Player of the Year honours in 2010 after he returned from elbow ligament replacement surgery to go 17-9 with a 2.83 ERA. He had surgery for a herniated disk in November 2011. The Giants had been eager to find an experienced starter to fill in the rotation. Zito just finished a $126 million, seven-year contract and had his $18 million option declined. Vogelsongs $6.5 million option also was turned down by the club. "Great news with the need that we have for pitching here and to get Tim, who was one of the highly sought pitchers out there. I couldnt be more thrilled," manager Bruce Bochy said. "It certainly helps fill a very important need for us as we try to get back on track here. ... For him to choose us, were honoured and I look very forward to working with him." Hudson traded text messages with good friend Zito on Monday -- and now is filling a rotation spot vacated by Zitos departure. "Its a bit odd," Hudson said. "We go back a long way. We were texting a little bit yesterday. Hes happy for me and my family but its a little bittersweet. I texted him I wish hed been here with me. The game is what it is. Chapters open and close. I wish him the best." Hudson is 205-111 in a 15-year career and was coming off a $36 million, four-year contract. After snapping a career-worst 10-game winless streak with a 13-4 victory July 6 at Philadelphia, Hudson went 4-0 with a 3.10 ERA in his last four starts. Hudson will pitch to 2012 NL MVP and batting champion Buster Posey, who is signed through 2021. Right fielder Hunter Pence was given a $90 million, five-year contract before the season ended. "I cant wait to get out here and help us win every fifth day. ... I feel I can pitch toward the top of any rotation," Hudson said. "This is going to be a new chapter for me and my family." Authentic Jevon Carter Jersey . With Bernard hurt, the second-round pick has emerged.Hill ran for 152 yards during a 27-10 win at New Orleans on Sunday, his second big game. He also ran for 154 yards against Jacksonville earlier this season. Cheap Grizzlies Jerseys .com) - Robert Martin and Josh Hicks combined for more than 300 yards rushing and three touchdowns, as Rutgers rolled past North Carolina, 40-21, in the Quick Lane Bowl. http://www.cheapgrizzliesjerseysauthentic.com/?tag=authentic-jaren-jackson-jr-jersey . J.J. Hardy drove in a run for the Orioles, who bounced back from an 8-4 loss in the series opener on Friday. Fresh off the 15-day disabled list, Derrek Lee went 2-for-4 with two runs scored. Jake Arrieta (7-3) gave up three runs on five hits over six innings to pick up the win.San Antonio, TX (SportsNetwork.com) - Russell Westbrook turned in another dominant performance and the Oklahoma City Thunder, minus Kevin Durant, beat the San Antonio Spurs 114-106 on Christmas Day. Westbrook totaled 34 points, 11 assists, five rebounds and five steals for the Thunder, who were without the reigning MVP Durant for a fifth straight game. Durant sprained his right ankle late in the first half of a loss to Golden State on Dec. 18. Westbrook scored 19 in the second half, helping Oklahoma City hold off a pair of Spurs rallies. Serge Ibaka added 21 points and Steven Adams donated 16 points and a career-high 15 boards. We did a great job of being physical, using our length and our athleticism, Westbrook said. Tony Parkers drive and dish to Tim Duncan for a dunk at 6:48 of the fourth gave the Spurs a 93-89 lead. The rest of the game belonged to Westbrook. His layup less than a minute after Duncans slam tied the game, and his feed to Adams for a thunderous dunk gave Oklahoma City the lead. Westbrook then took it from Cory Joseph and went coast-to-coast for a layup. Out of a Spurs timeout, Westbrook hit a pull-up jumper and assisted on Anthony Morrows 3-ball that made it 102-93. After the Spurs scored the next five points, Westbrook attracted enough attention on a drive that Morrow, one of the leagues top snipers, was left wide open for another 3-pointer. Reggie Jackson hit a long two while Adams and Morrow both made two free throws in the final minute to seal the game. Seven Spurs reached double figures, with Matt Bonners 17 points leading the ballanced attack. Authentic Chandler Parsons Jersey. Duncan scored 15, Joseph and Splitter had 14 apiece and Manu Ginobili tallied 11 with a game-high 13 assists. They were more physical than us. They got a lot of offensive rebounds, loose balls and we turned the ball over a lot, Ginobili said. The Thunder made their first six shots from the floor and led 17-8 before Duncans three-point play woke up San Antonios offense. Bonner came off the bench and hit a pair of 3s, Ginobili had seven assists in seven minutes and the Spurs went up by two before four straight at the end of the quarter gave the Thunder a 29-27 edge. OKC led 50-47 at halftime. The Spurs were within one three times early in the third before a pair of Adams free throws sparked a 9-0 run. Westbrooks three-point play ended the flurry and made it 63-53. The lead reached 11 before San Antonio mounted a comeback. Tiago Splitter bookended a 13-2 run with layups, including a reverse on a feed from Ginobili with a second to play in the quarter. Joseph scored five points on the run, which gave the Spurs a 77-76 lead heading into the fourth. Game Notes The Spurs beat the Thunder 4-2 in the Western Conference finals last season ... This was Oklahoma Citys first win over a team with a record better than .500 this season (1-5) ... San Antonio was without Kawhi Leonard (hand) for the fifth straight game ... The Spurs have lost five of six ... 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