Braves Hanson has mild concussion after wreck
KISSIMMEE, Fla. (AP) - Atlanta Braves pitcher Tommy Hanson has been diagnosed with a mild concussion after wrecking on his way to spring training.
Manager Fredi Gonzalez said Tuesday that Hanson will miss the first two days of spring training, then gradually work his way back into a normal routine. If there are no setbacks, he should be back at full strength within a week.
Hanson blew out a tire Monday near the Braves' Disney World complex and may have bumped his head on either the windshield or the steering wheel. The right-hander was diagnosed with a grade one concussion but apparently has no other injuries.
Hanson is expected to be one of the team's top starters, going 11-7 with a 3.60 ERA last season despite a shoulder injury.
Hudson looks for fresh start after back surgery
KISSIMMEE, Fla. (AP) - Tim Hudson remembers when he was the young gun in the clubhouse.
Now, he's the old dude, looking a bit out of place on one of baseball's most promising pitching staffs.
But don't count him out just yet. At 36, Hudson isn't quite ready to pass the torch to all those hot young prospects on the Atlanta Braves. Quite the contrary. After undergoing back surgery over the winter, the right-hander feels better than ever.
He won't be ready to go at the start of the season. Two vertebrae in his lower back were fused during an operation in late November, putting Hudson about a month behind schedule. For him, opening day is May 1. But Hudson has no regrets, having endured steadily increasing pain over last few seasons.
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