Tim Hudson facing major elbow surgery

**Dirty** · 07-30-2008 11:36 PM

Pitcher says he'll wait before making decision

By DAVID O'BRIEN
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Published on: 07/30/08 Two doctors have advised Tim Hudson to have ligament-transplant elbow surgery, but the Braves pitcher will wait a week before making deciding whether to have the procedure that would keep him out for the rest of this season and most of 2009.
Dr. James Andrews examined Hudson on Wednesday in Birmingham and came to a similar concusion as Braves orthopedist Xavier Duralde, who examined the pitcher earlier Wednesday in Atlanta and advised "Tommy John" surgery for a torn ulnar collateral ligament.

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"Gonna see how it feels this week and make a decision," Hudson said in a text message Wednesday night.
Surgery appears inevitable, but the Braves said Hudson wants to be convinced it's necessary.
"Dr. Duralde and Dr. Andrews both concurred that surgery is likely," Braves spokesman Brad Hainje said late Wednesday. "However, Tim is going to go through a short rehab period before they make a final decision."
A dye-injection MRI exam on Monday showed a tear in the ulnar collateral ligament in his pitching elbow, an injury that typically requires ligament-transplant surgery and a 12-month recovery period.
Braves doctors advised Hudson to have the surgery right away. By having the procedure now, he might be able to pitch late in the 2009 season, the last year he's under contract with the Braves.
Hudson, 33, said Tuesday that he was "floored" when the first doctor who examined him Monday showed him the damage in the ligament that appeared in the MRI dye-contrast picture.
The right-hander had soreness in the forearm and elbow in his start July 23, and the Braves had decided not to risk further injury to their ace because they had fallen so far behind in the standings.
Hudson said he only got the MRI because he was going to be on the disabled list 15 days anyway, and the Braves figured he might as well get the sophisticated dye-injection exam to rule out problems.
Instead, it revealed a significant problem, a torn UCL.
Hudson is 11-7 with a 3.17 ERA in a staff-leading 142 innings, and has a 146-77 career record in 10 seasons with Oakland and the Braves. He is in the third year of a four-year, $47 million contract extension he signed after being traded from Oakland.
He is scheduled to make $13 million in 2009, with a $12 million option for 2010 that's mutual and includes a $1 million buyout.
The Braves did an MRI on Hudson's elbow before they signed him to his extension, an exam that showed only normal wear and tear for a pitcher of his age.
The MRI on Monday showed something far more severe.
It's the latest in a stunning string of injuries this season for the Braves, who have had four of their opening-day rotation starters on the DL, along with closer Rafael Soriano and setup man Peter Moylan.
Starter John Smoltz accompanied Hudson to Birmingham because Smoltz was due for a checkup of his surgically repaired shoulder by Andrews. That surgery ended Smoltz's season and possibly his career.
Moylan had season-ending "Tommy John" elbow surgery in May.
Without Hudson, the Braves would presumably need to acquire an ace-caliber starter through trade or free agency this winter.
Braves general manager Frank Wren was not available for comment after Wednesday's game.

Hudson facing major elbow surgery | ajc.com