ATLANTA – Braves pitcher Tom Glavine is out for the season, and his illustrious career could be over if he needs major surgery on his injured left elbow.

The 42-year-old Glavine still hopes to return next year — unless he needs elbow ligament replacement surgery.

A 300-game winner, Glavine said Saturday he will be examined by Dr. James Andrews next week in Alabama. Glavine, who was placed on the disabled list Friday with a torn flexor tendon in his left elbow, plans to have surgery to repair the tendon.

He said he’d give up his comeback hopes for 2009 if Andrews determines the pitcher needs the ligament replacement procedure, known as Tommy John surgery. Rehabilitation after that procedure often takes at least a year.

A two-time NL Cy Young Award winner with Atlanta, Glavine gave up seven runs in four innings against the Chicago Cubs on Thursday in his first start since June 10. He is 2-4 with a 5.54 ERA in 13 games this season, and 305-203 in his career.

Glavine re-signed with the Braves this season after five years with the Mets. He pitched for Atlanta from 1987-2002 and won 20 games or more five times.