Disabled Braves pitchers Tim Hudson and John Smoltz will travel to Birmingham together on Wednesday to see Dr. James Andrews — Hudson to have his worrisome elbow checked out, Smoltz for a routine checkup on his surgically repaired shoulder.

When someone asked if they would travel via the chartered jet service Smoltz frequently uses, Hudson quipped, "If Smoltz wants to fly us, I'll fly. With our luck, we'll probably go down somewhere. I'll make sure I have my parachute."

At least he hasn't lost his sense of humor.

Now, Hudson is holding out hope that he won't lose the next 12 months or so to "Tommy John" ligament-transplant surgery and its tedious recovery process.

A dye-injection MRI exam on Hudson's right elbow Monday showed damage to the ulnar collateral ligament, which surprised Hudson and the Braves. He had tightness in the forearm in his last start Wednesday at Florida, but Hudson said he didn't think he had anything more than inflammation. He was "floored" when a doctor showed him the damage in an MRI contrast picture.

Hudson has a busy day planned Wednesday. He'll meet with Braves orthopedist Xavier Duralde in Atlanta, then drive with Smoltz to Birmingham to see Andrews, the elbow/shoulder guru who does so many of the arm surgeries for high-profile pitchers, including Smoltz's recent procedure.

Hudson said they will also have a CD copy of the MRI result sent to Dr. Lewis Yocum, a Los Angeles-based orthopedist also widely known for his surgeries on athletes.

"Doesn't hurt to have as many eyes as possible see it," Hudson said.

He's scheduled to make $13 million in 2009 to complete his four-year contract extension. He has a $12 million mutual option for 2010.

Hudson, 33, is 11-7 with a 3.17 ERA in a staff-leading 142 innings, and 146-77 with a 3.48 ERA in 10 seasons with Oakland and Atlanta.

Glavine to throw simulated game

Tom Glavine plans to throw 30-40 pitches in simulated-game conditions Wednesday, a last test before what would be a brief minor-league rehab assignment and possible return to the Braves within two weeks.

The 42-year-old lefty is recovering from a partial flexor-tendon tear near the elbow. Glavine said he's eager to get back on the mound and try to finish the season strong, to determine whether he needs surgery and whether he wants to pitch again in 2009.

His first three seasons with the Braves came at the end of the 1980s, so he knows about playing late-season games for non-contenders.

"Yeah, and I had a couple of refresher courses in New York," joked Glavine, who pitched for the Mets from 2003-07. "I mean, it's tough. But nobody's going to put out the white flag and give up. It's hard, but you've got to go out there each day and compete and play hard.

"You've got to battle with the guys you have. Up until a few days ago, we still had a pretty talented teams. Then more guys were on the DL, and it gets harder and hard to not feel sorry for yourself. But we can't. We have a lot of baseball left.

"We owe it to the organization, and we owe it to the fans, to out and play hard every day."

As for the Braves' litany of pain, Glavine said, "I don't think I've seen this many guys injured in my 20 years of playing — let alone on the same team. It's been unbelievable."