ATLANTA — Tim Hudson has ligament damage in his pitching elbow, the latest in a series of devastating injuries to Atlanta’s pitching staff and likely ensuring the Braves will approach the trade deadline with no more thoughts of contending this season.
The right-handed Hudson (11-7, 3.17 ERA) went on the disabled list Monday after an MRI found the damage. The Braves also placed third baseman Chipper Jones on the 15-day DL with a hamstring injury.
Footnotes.
Yankees five-time all-star catcher Jorge Posada will have season-ending surgery on his right shoulder. Posada is expected to be sidelined at least six months, and it’s not certain he will be ready for the start of spring training in February.
Meanwhile, outfielder Hideki Matsui still hopes to put off season-ending surgery and return from a swollen left knee that has sidelined him since June 23. Wearing a new brace on his knee, Matsui took 20 swings off a tee and five soft-toss cuts. If all goes well, Matsui said he thinks he could begin playing minor-league rehab games in a week or two.
• Rangers all-star shortstop Michael Young could miss up to a week after suffering a small fracture in his right ring finger.
• Cardinals outfielder Rick Ankiel was held out of the starting lineup for the second straight day with a sore abdomen, and manager Tony La Russa said he isn’t sure when Ankiel will return.
• Mets right-hander John Maine left New York’s game at Florida after 4 1/3 innings because of stiffness in his right shoulder.
The Associated Press
