Giants trade update: Mike Leake starts Sunday, Tim Hudson goes to DL

Recommended Video:

ARLINGTON, Texas - Mike Leake is replacing Tim Hudson in the Giants’ rotation. The pitchers spoke for the first time Friday, but there’s a connection that goes back a few years.

“Actually, I watched a lot of video of him when I was first coming up because he attacked the ball in the zone and had a lot of movement on his pitches that were moving on the outside of the zone rather than in the zone,” said Leake, whose body type is similar to Hudson’s.

“I actually learned a lot from him. I look forward to working with him, talking with him and picking his brain.”

Leake, acquired Thursday night from the Reds for two minor-leaguers, will make his Giants debut Sunday in the series finale against the Rangers.

To create roster space, the 40-year-old Hudson went on the disabled list with a shoulder strain, which was fine by him. So not only is Hudson moving out of the rotation without complaint, he’s OK with being taken off the roster.

“My reaction is, great. He’s really going to help our club, hopefully get our club to the next level as far as another World Series,” Hudson said. “I’m on board for what makes us better and gets us a better chance to win the world championship.

“If that means me changing roles or what have you, I’m all for it. Everyone in this locker room should be on the same page, and that’s to win a World Series. Put your egos goes aside and figure out what’s best for everybody in this locker room.”

Before the Giants announced Hudson was going on the DL, the pitcher told reporters that’s where he was headed. The injury?

Tim Hudson (17) looks out from the dugout as the Giants played the Oakland Athletics at AT&T Park in San Francisco, Calif., on Sunday, July 26, 2015. The Giants won 4-3. Tim Hudson (17) looks out from the dugout as the Giants played the Oakland Athletics at AT&T Park in San Francisco, Calif., on Sunday, July 26, 2015. The Giants won 4-3. Photo: Carlos Avila Gonzalez, The Chronicle Buy photo Photo: Carlos Avila Gonzalez, The Chronicle Image 1 of / 1 Caption Close Giants trade update: Mike Leake starts Sunday, Tim Hudson goes to DL 1 / 1 Back to Gallery

“Let’s pick one,” he said, grinning.

Hudson noted his shoulder has been an issue in the past.

“We’ll go with that,” he said.

Hudson said he’s not about to demand a spot in the bullpen (he has one career relief appearance, in 2008) and possibly disrupt chemistry.

Though it was no secret Brian Sabean had scouted Leake (and Johnny Cueto) last month during a Reds’ series in Chicago, Leake said he’s surprised he’s a Giant.

“Stunned reaction,” Leake said. “I didn’t expect it because I knew how many pitchers they had. I’m just glad I’m here.”

After wearing 44 in Cincinnati, Leake had to switch numbers as a Giant (it was Willie McCovey’s number) and chose 13 because it’s his father’s favorite number — 13 is retired in Cincinnati because of Davey Concepcion.

“Jake (Peavy) would have it if it was available,” Leake said of his new teammate, also a former No. 44. “So I still couldn’t have had it.”

In April 2011, Leake was arrested on a shoplifting charge and accused of trying to steal six shirts at a Cincinnati Macy’s worth $59.88. He was booked on a first-degree misdemeanor charge. He pled guilty to a lesser charge of unauthorized use of property and was accepted into a diversion program to include 30 hours of community service and counseling.

“It was a learning curve,” Leake said Friday. “By no means was it a theft. It was a mishandling of T-shirts. I went to exchange, and I exchanged the improper way.”

John Shea is a San Francisco Chronicle staff writer. E-mail: jshea@sfchronicle.com. Twitter @JohnSheaHey