Glavine avoids Tommy John surgery, but will he come back?

It was good news for Tom Glavine as he underwent a MRI on Wednesday which revealed a partial tear in his flexor tendon, but no ligament damage. He will undergo elbow surgery on Thursday and then endure four to five months of rehabilitation.

Glavine had previously stated that he would retire if he had to undergo Tommy John surgery, but this prognosis opens a new window for the 300 game winner. Barring any major setback, he could be ready for spring training but do the Braves want him to return? He’ll be expensive, like $8 million expensive and who wants to spend that much money on someone who could be out with an injury all season? And if the Braves won’t take him back, he will retire stating he’d like to stay close to his family who reside in Atlanta.

Some of his current Braves teammates would not be opposed to bringing him back for 2009. "Hopefully, if he can get this fixed and get back -- shoot, it'd be great," outfielder Jeff Francoeur said. "Love to have him back,” Chipper Jones added.

From a completely selfish standpoint, I’d love to see him play one more season. And if Smoltz could get back into the pen, I’d take that too. However, if the Braves do not re-sign these two that would equal more money to spend on free agent players. I don’t want them to spend $8 million on a mediocre arm, but if it’s the difference between getting Sabathia and maybe Sheets or Brad Penny, then maybe it's time to let go. At some point you do have to move on from the past. Is 2009 that point?

(Photo: John Bazemore/AP; source)

It’s been fun blogging with you,

Kate