Glavine elbow injury threatens to end career

ATLANTA (Reuters) - Atlanta Braves starting pitcher Tom Glavine will miss the remainder of the season with a left elbow injury that could bring an end to a career in which the 42-year-old has chalked up 305 victories.

The veteran is scheduled to be examined next week and if Glavine is forced to require Tommy John ligament transplant surgery, the left-hander said on Saturday he would retire.

"I wouldn't come back from that type of surgery right now," Glavine told reporters of the one-year rehabilitation needed to recuperate from the procedure.

If a less severe elbow surgery is required, Glavine indicated he still might decide against returning for another year.

It has been a trying season for the two-time National League Cy Young Award winner, who has made just 13 starts in 2008 and is 2-4 with a 5.54 ERA.

Glavine returned from a two-month stint on the disabled list on Thursday, only to be shelved again after allowing seven earned runs in four innings.

"I know it's not going to get better by just resting," Glavine said. "I need to fix it (to enjoy) the rest of my life, and I need to fix it if I want to pitch next year."

(Reporting by Jahmal Corner in Los Angeles; Editing by John O'Brien)