There was no miracle for Braves pitcher Tim Hudson, who conceded Saturday that he will need ligament-transplant elbow surgery to repair his torn ulnar collateral ligament.

The veteran will have the surgery late next week. Dr. James Andrews will do the procedure, and Hudson faces a 12-month rehabilitation period.

"I just needed to convince myself," said Hudson, who on Wednesday was advised by two orthopedists — Andrews and Dr. Xavier Duralde — to have the surgery. "I needed to throw one more time, to convince myself of what needed to be done."

He did some light throwing Saturday, then made a few throws from 70-80 feet and felt the same ache he felt in his past start July 23 at Florida.

"It's not good at all," Hudson said.

He has already spoken with Braves pitchers John Smoltz, Mike Gonzalez and Peter Moylan about what to expect after "Tommy John" surgery. All have had the procedure.

"I've got to have a lot of patience," Hudson said. "I'm going to be able to do it. I'm going to work hard, and my goal is to be back next year at some point, stronger and better than I was."

Hudson, 33, will make $13 million in 2009, the last year of his contract. He has a $12 million mutual player-club option for 2010.