ATLANTA — Braves ace Tim Hudson wanted to test his arm one more time to convince himself that season-ending elbow ligament replacement surgery was necessary.

After feeling more discomfort while trying to play catch on Saturday, Hudson is convinced.

“All the arrows are pointing that way,” Hudson said, adding he plans to have the surgery within a week.
“I just wanted to try it one more time to convince myself that’s what needs to get done.”

Dr. Xavier Duralde, the team’s lead orthopedist, and Dr. James Andrews found the right-hander has major ligament damage in his pitching elbow.

Hudson was examined by Andrews on Wednesday. At that time, Hudson conceded the surgery was probably inevitable, but said he wanted to try to throw one more time in case he could throw without pain.

Instead, Hudson felt more pain Saturday while trying to throw from about 70 feet.

Hudson said Andrews would perform the procedure.

Andrews already has performed season-ending surgeries on Braves reliever Peter Moylan’s elbow and starter John Smoltz’s shoulder this year.

Hudson (11-7, 3.17 ERA) was the Braves’ top starter. He now faces a rehabilitation period of at least a year, making his return before the 2009 All-Star break unlikely.