D-Backs notebook: Hudson, Clark praise Bonds

Barry Bonds’ record-breaking 756th home run Tuesday drew a variety of responses from the Diamondbacks.

“I’m so happy for him. I want to give him a big hug,” Orlando Hudson said. “All I know is, he’s the best to walk between the lines there has ever been. Of all (darn) time.”

Bonds’ home run enabled him to pass Hank Aaron, the man Tony Clark most admired as a young player.

“Hank Aaron was my idol growing up. He always has been. He always will be. But I tip my hat to Barry. In the time I’ve played, I’ve never seen anyone as talented,” Clark said.

Asked if Bonds’ record is tainted by allegations of illegal performance-enhancing drug use, Clark said, “Not in my mind.

“At a point in time where a line is crossed with respect to him found guilty of anything in particular, you address it then. I don’t judge anybody, especially when there is a lot of hearsay and rhetoric.”

Hudson said he spent an enjoyable time with Bonds at the 2007 All-Star game, when Bonds played with Hudson’s children in the clubhouse and talked baseball with him and Prince Fielder.

“I wish those ignorant people would leave him alone. He’s a great guy,” Hudson said.

Left-hander Mike Bacsik, who gave up Bonds’ historic home run, was in the D-Backs’ minor league system last yearn.

WELLS A CANDIDATE?

The D-Backs had interest in David Wells in the offseason before swinging a deal for Randy Johnson, and with Wells back on the market could be looking again.

San Diego will sever ties with Wells to activate Chris Young today, and D-Backs officials plan to discuss Wells internally before deciding whether to pursue him again. Wells, 5-8 with a 5.54 ERA this season, co-owns a ranch with D-Backs hitting coach Kirk Gibson and was said to be flying there to ponder his options.

“If he still wanted to play, we’ll designate him for assignment and see if other clubs have interest,” Padres general manager Kevin Towers said.

“I think based upon what David has done for his career and his season, his veteran status and what he brings to a team, I think there would be a lot of interest in adding him to a roster for the stretch run,” agent Gregg Clifton said.

PLAYING THE FIELD

First baseman Conor Jackson and third baseman Mark Reynolds have become the backup outfielders with the injury to Carlos Quentin (hamstring) and the loss of Jeff DaVanon on waivers. Jackson and Reynolds have 13 innings of outfield experience between them. Quentin took batting practice and ran at about 80 percent, he said, before Wednesday’s game, but it is uncertain if he will available when he is eligible to return from the disabled list Aug. 17. DaVanon has cleared release waivers.

PLENTY OF TIME

The D-Backs have six days to sign high school right-hander Jarrod Parker, their No. 1 draft choice, but are not concerned because eight of the top 12 picks are unsigned, meaning the market remains unsettled. “Like several other first-rounders, this will likely be resolved closer to the (Aug. 15) deadline,” general manager Josh Byrnes said.

SHORT HOPS

The D-Backs added about $2.3 million by claiming Kennedy, Byung-Hyun Kim and Jeff Cirillo off waivers, bringing their total player cost to about $66 million, counting the players on the 40-man roster and the money due Russ Ortiz and Shawn Green. … Official scorer Rodney Johnson, after reviewing a play in the ninth inning of Tuesday’s game, charged Brandon Lyon with an error for failing to catch a relay throw from shortstop Stephen Drew. Drew originally was given the error.