Podsednik bats leadoff in 1st game with Dodgers

SAN DIEGO (AP) -Scott Podsednik is batting leadoff and playing center field in his first game with the Los Angeles Dodgers.

Podsednik was obtained on Wednesday from the Kansas City Royals. He took a flight to San Diego on Thursday morning and joined his new team in time for a series finale against the NL West-leading San Diego Padres.

The Dodgers needed help because outfielders Reed Johnson and Manny Ramirez are on the disabled list.

Podsednik says getting traded from a team stuck in last place to a third-place team that's six games behind will “hopefully give me a little more pep in my step.”

Podsednik, who was with the Chicago White Sox when they won the 2005 World Series, hit .310 and stole 30 bases for the Royals this season.