07/28/2008 9:02 PM ET
Hudson's MRI shows ligament damage
Braves starter to visit Dr. James Andrews this week
By Mark Bowman / MLB.com

ATLANTA -- Braves general manager Frank Wren would like to find the individual who cursed the projected starting rotation that he carried into this season. Following the same path previously traveled by John Smoltz, Tom Glavine and Mike Hampton, Tim Hudson now potentially has a serious injury.

An MRI exam performed in Atlanta on Monday afternoon showed that the ligament in Hudson's right elbow is damaged. He'll visit Dr. James Andrews in Birmingham later this week to determine the significance of his injury.

For now, the Braves can only hope that Andrews won't prescribe Hudson to undergo Tommy John ligament transplant surgery.

"The initial findings from the MRI are that there is some injury to his elbow," Braves general manager Frank Wren said. "Some of it appears to be new, other parts of it appear to be an older injury."

When asked if the injury was considered serious, Wren indicated the team would wait for Andrews' evaluation before making any sort of characterization. But it did say that the MRI showed more than just inflammation.

"I don't want to characterize anything, other than there is an injury to his elbow," Wren said. "We'll wait for the results and hope for the best."

Hudson was forced to leave last Wednesday's start at Dolphin Stadium after throwing just 68 pitches. He didn't seem too concerned about the ailment and as late as Monday, he was still trying to convince the Braves that he could make his scheduled start on Tuesday.

Smoltz was lost to season-ending shoulder surgery in April and Glavine has been out since June 10 with a slightly torn flexor tendon in his left elbow. Ironically, Hampton, who made his first start since 2005 on Saturday, now stands as the only healthy veteran member of the Braves original starting rotation.

"We've had more than our share [of injuries]," Wren said. "That's for sure. You could throw a yellow flag for piling on."

Mark Bowman is a reporter for MLB.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.

Braves are banged up