Braves veteran right-hander Tim Hudson underwent season-ending surgery on his fractured right ankle Friday afternoon.
The procedure was performed by Braves orthopedic surgeon Dr. Marvin Royster, who repaired a fractured fibula and the deltoid ligament. Hudson is expected to need four months of recovery.
“Tim is out of surgery,” his wife Kim Hudson tweeted about 6 p.m. “Dr. Royster did an amazing job, and everything went well. He’ll be back and better than ever!”
Hudson, 38, is in the option year of his contract with the Braves and will be a free agent next spring, but his teammates and general manager expect Hudson to make a full recovery and return to action next spring.
“I know he wants to keep playing,” Kris Medlen said. “He wants to play two or three more years, do it as long as he can.”
Hudson and his wife Kim are active members in the Atlanta community through their Hudson Family Foundation and on Friday saw the sentiment returned. They received countless messages and tweets, including a photo of young cancer patients at Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta holding up signed baseballs wishing Hudson well.
“We’re overwhelmed by your prayers and well wishes,” his wife Kim Hudson tweeted Friday afternoon.
Hudson suffered the gruesome ankle injury Wednesday night at Citi Field while covering first base. Mets outfielder Eric Young stepped on Hudson’s right ankle trying to beat out a ground ball. Young apologized profusely on the field at the time and stayed at Hudson’s side until he was carted off.
Hudson flew back to Atlanta on the Braves charter Thursday night and was in good spirits, according to manager Fredi Gonzalez.
“I’m sure he’s doing a lot of reflecting but he’ll be fine,” Gonzalez said. “He’s got a good support system with his wife, his family, everybody in Braves country, War Eagle country. I got a lot of texts from guys that have played for me to wish him best of luck.”
Hudson becomes the fifth Brave to undergo season-ending surgery this season, along with relievers Eric O’Flaherty, Jonny Venters, Cristhian Martinez and utility infielder Ramiro Pena.
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