ATLANTA (AP) -Tim Hudson is likely headed for surgery after two doctors found the Atlanta Braves ace has major ligament damage in his pitching elbow.
Hudson was examined by Dr. Xavier Duralde, the team’s lead orthopedist, and then met Wednesday with Dr. James Andrews of Birmingham, Ala., who already operated on two Braves pitchers this year.
“Both concur that surgery is likely,” Braves spokesman Brad Hainje said after a 7-2 loss to the St. Louis Cardinals. “But he’s going to take a short rehabilitation period before he makes a final decision.”
Atlanta reliever Peter Moylan tried to get by with rest back in April, as Andrews prescribed, but still wound up needing the same Tommy John ligament replacement procedure that Hudson is likely to have. Andrews also operated on the shoulder of John Smoltz, ending the 41-year-old’s season and perhaps his career.
Considering that it usually takes at least a year to recover from Tommy John surgery, the Braves would surely prefer that Hudson get the operation as soon as possible. Hainje said the rehab period would likely be less than a week.
“I think I lost my mentor,” rookie pitcher Jair Jurrjens said. “I hope he can recover quick because we need him. I especially need a mentor next to me.”
Hudson would likely miss the rest of this season and much of 2009 – the final year of his contract with the Braves. The right-hander does have a mutual option for 2010 that would pay him $12 million, with a $1 million buyout.
The loss of Hudson (11-7, 3.17 ERA) was a major factor in Atlanta deciding to trade first baseman Mark Teixeira on Tuesday and look at other possible deals ahead of Thursday’s non-waiver deadline to make deals. General manager Frank Wren said all the injuries made it impossible to contend this season.
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