Tim Hudson Undergoes Back Surgery

Last night, David O’Brien of the Atlanta Journal Constitution reported that Braves starting pitcher Tim Hudson underwent “back surgery for a herniated disc on Monday”.  According to O’Brien, doctors believe Hudson should be ready to join the Braves when spring training rolls around.

O’Brien reports that Hudson’s back has been an issue for the past several seasons.  While this was the case, surgery wasn’t necessary until recently when the pain began to get increasingly worse during Hudson’s offseason workouts.  If all goes well, O’Brien says Hudson should be able to resume a throwing program in six weeks.

Braves general manager Frank Wren told reporters that the Braves have known about the issue “for a couple of years”, but only recently did the pain escalate to the point where Hudson needed surgery.  Wren said that the hope all along was that Hudson’s surgery would come “post-career”, but the issue just “got progressively worse”.  Wren says Hudson hopes the procedure “will help him and potentially extend his career”.

Since joining the Braves in 2005, Hudson has been one of Atlanta’s most consistent starters.  The 36-year-old has maintained a career 3.51 ERA in Atlanta and has turned in back-to-back solid seasons for the Braves.  During 2010-11, Hudson logged 443 2/3 innings while holding an ERA and WHIP near 3.00 and 1.14.

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