Hudson has elbow-ligament damage

Rest of season may be in jeopardy for Braves' ace; slugger Jones is also put on DL

By: JournalNow Staff | THE ASSOCIATED PRESS
Published: July 29, 2008

ATLANTA

Pitcher Tim Hudson of the Atlanta Braves had an MRI yesterday that showed ligament damage in his pitching elbow, sending the ace to the disabled list and leaving the rest of his season in doubt.

Atlanta also put slugger Chipper Jones on the DL, a setback for a team trying to revive its fading hopes in the NL East.

General Manager Frank Wren said that the club is trying to get Hudson an appointment with orthopedist James Andrews in Birmingham, Ala., this week.

"It's not good," Wren said during the Braves' game against the St. Louis Cardinals. "It's more than inflammation. Some of the damage is old, some of it new."

Jones leads the majors in hitting at .369. He hurt his left hamstring running out a grounder Wednesday night and has been slow to heal.

Both players went on the DL retroactive to Friday, the latest in a devastating series of injuries to strike the Braves this season.

Longtime ace John Smoltz is out for the season. So is reliever Peter Moylan. Two other key pitchers, Tom Glavine and Rafael Soriano, have spent significant time on the DL. Mike Hampton finally made his first appearance in nearly three years this last weekend.

"You can't sustain the injuries that we've sustained and expect to stay competitive at or near the top of the division," Jones said. "It's impossible, especially when we're replacing guys like myself, Smoltz and Glavine and Soriano and Moylan with minor league guys. You're just not going to get the same results."

Hudson is 11-7 with a 3.17 ERA. He wanted to start against the Cardinals last night, but Manager Bobby Cox ruled that out.

"He doesn't feel that bad," Wren said. "I think everyone was surprised."

The Braves also optioned left-hander Jo-Jo Reyes to Class AAA Richmond. Atlanta recalled pitcher Charlie Morton and catcher Clint Sammons from Richmond and activated reliever Jeff Bennett from the disabled list.

All-Star catcher Brian McCann suffered a mild concussion in a collision at home plate at Philadelphia on Sunday. He is expected to miss three or four games.

"I feel like I thought would: headache, neck hurts, jaw's sore," McCann said.