Tim Hudson to start for Braves' Monday

By Carroll Rogers

The Atlanta Journal-Constitution

Given how critical these games are for their survival in the playoff hunt, the Braves went ahead and made their decision on Tim Hudson.

Their former ace will return from elbow reconstruction surgery Monday in Florida, foregoing the final start of his minor league rehabilitation assignment. Kenshin Kawakami, who gave up four runs in Wednesday’s loss to the Padres, will skip his next start.

Beyond that the Braves aren’t laying out their plans and don’t need to because on Tuesday, Sept. 1, they’ll have the flexibility that comes with expanded rosters. Braves manager Bobby Cox said Kawakami would pitch again, as a starter. He also said Hudson’s role is as a starter.

“[Hudson] told me he could have pitched a month ago in relief,” Cox said. “But he’s a starter, and we wanted to do the right thing, coming off the operation and he could be a free agent.”

Hudson has a $12 million option for 2010. He could become a free agent if the Braves don’t pick it up or if he vetoes it.

Cox said the Braves have thought about using a six-man rotation. Some variation of that might be how this ultimately plays out.

“We just want to give KK a little time off,” Cox said. “He averaged about 23 starts over in Japan. He’s already at 24 here. And he’s done great. For the first year over here, I think he’s been on the excellent side.”

Kawakami is 6-10 with a 4.08 ERA but has gone 1-2 with a 3.13 ERA in August. After letting a 3-0 lead disappear in what became a six-run sixth inning Wednesday, he saw it coming.

“I wasn’t surprised after how I pitched yesterday,” Kawakami said through an interpreter. He also said he hasn’t been concerned with his shoulder.

Hudson was originally scheduled to pitch Friday for Class AAA Gwinnett in Charlotte, but the Braves called before he got on his flight.

“I feel ready,” Hudson said. “This is something I’ve been looking forward to for a long time, and put a lot of long hours of hard work in just anticipating this start. I’m excited about it. I think everybody around here is sick and tired of seeing me in the training room all day getting treatment. It’s time to get out there and earn my paycheck for a change.”

Ironically, he’ll be pitching in the stadium where he blew out his elbow ligament last July 23 after six scoreless innings against the Marlins. He had surgery on Aug. 8. Hudson said that doesn’t bother him. “I’ve got a scoreless streak going there,” he said.

Hudson went 1-1 with a 3.86 ERA in six rehab starts. He walked four and struck out 14 in 23-1/3 innings. He said he felt ready after his last start for Gwinnett because his fastball command had improved.

“I feel like things are zeroed in where they need to be,” Hudson said.

Carlyle returns, Acosta down

Buddy Carlyle was called up from Class AAA Gwinnett on Thursday, and Manny Acosta was sent down to give the Braves a fresh right arm in the bullpen. The move also allows Carlyle his first action since he was diagnosed with diabetes in early June.

Carlyle went 3-1 with a 1.86 ERA in 13 minor-league appearances. For Gwinnett, he allowed only one walk and struck out 23 in 15-1/3 innings. Carlyle said he’s comfortable administering his own insulin shots and monitoring his blood-sugar levels.

“It’s kind of second nature now,” Carlyle said. “There will be days where things are a little bit screwy, but I have it pretty much under control.”

Acosta threw 50 pitches in two innings Wednesday and gave up a two-run homer to Kevin Kouzmanoff. He’s 1-0 with a 4.32 ERA and a .291 opponents’ batting average.

“Manny can come back in 10 days,” Cox said. “He threw a ton of pitches last night, so we thought we better get a fresh arm.”

Church update

Ryan Church was replaced by Omar Infante in center field in Thursday’s lineup after Cox found out Church had more back soreness. Church said he could have played Thursday, and that soreness was an improvement over spasms.