Hudson Chooses Rehab Over Surgery... For Now...

According to David O'Brien from the Atlanta Journal-Constitution, the MRI coming back on the injured elbow of Atlanta Braves ace Tim Hudson shows significant damage. Doctors are recommending ligament-transplant elbow surgery to Hudson, and the sooner the better.

This way, Hudson can attempt a return by the latter half of the 2009 season- the end of his current contract with the Braves.

The telling paragraph:

"A dye-injection MRI done Monday showed a tear in the ulnar collateral ligament in his pitching elbow, an injury that typically requires "Tommy John" ligament-transplant surgery and a 12-month recovery period."

Hudson is expected to make a decision after a discussion with Dr. James Andrews later in the week.

And those are three words you never want next to each other and having anything to do with you-

"Dr. James Andrews"

UPDATE FROM THE BALLPARK: According to the Braves Media Relations Guru, Brad Hainje, after the end of the game tonight with the St. Louis Cardinals, both doctors that were consulted ((Andrews and Lewis Yocum in LA)) agree that surgery was "likely," however Hudson has decided to rest and rehab for the next few weeks. He will re-evaluate after that time period...

Braves broadcasters said on the air tonight on FSN South that Hudson was at the ballpark, and would be available for reaction and self-reflection on their air. How-evuh, Hudson wasn't hanging around long enough for their supposed sound. This sent local crews scurrying to the ballpark in an attempt to get Huddy to talk at a supposed media availability.

Huddy, however, had left the building.