ATLANTA -- When team physicians informed Bobby Cox on Friday that Mike Gonzalez was going to need season-ending Tommy John elbow ligament transplant surgery, it didn't really surprise the Braves skipper. For most of the past week, he was fearfully expecting this revelation.

Every time Gonzalez indicated that he wasn't feeling any pain in his left elbow, Cox thought back to 1999, when John Smoltz was saying the same thing. By the time Spring Training rolled around the next year, Smoltz found himself undergoing the same surgical procedure that awaits Gonzalez.

"All of the symptoms in my mind were sort of there because [the velocity] dropped off and there was no pain," said Cox, who removed Gonzalez from a May 15 game against the Nationals because his normally lively fastball was topping out at 84 mph.

Gonzalez, who, along with Brett Lillibridge came to Atlanta from Pittsburgh in exchange for Adam LaRoche in January, was the addition that gave the Braves enviable bullpen depth. But while he's likely out until at least next May, closer Bob Wickman and Rafael Soriano will carry the load in the late innings.

"It's part of our business," Braves general manager John Schuerholz said. "We're sad to lose him at this moment, but he's a young guy and determined guy. We'll get him back as healthy as ever."

Because noted surgeon Dr. James Andrews is currently out of the country, it's still unknown exactly when Gonzalez will undergo surgery. He wants Andrews to perform the procedure.

A contrast MRI taken in Atlanta last week didn't show any structural damage to Gonzalez, but multiple Braves physicians nevertheless felt it necessary for Gonzalez to undergo a more advanced MRI procedure that could be provided by Dr. David Altchek in New York City.

While evaluating Gonzalez on Thursday, Altchek found a slight tear in Gonzalez's ulnar ligament. Contrary to most other pitchers who have needed Tommy John surgery, the left-handed reliever has a tear located below his elbow. It was significant enough to require the ligament transplant surgical procedure that regularly requires at least 12 months of rehab.

"Ninety-seven percent [of the ligament], they said, is perfect," Cox said. "It's just that little three percent that is no good at all. I think the smart thing is to go ahead and have it operated on, be ready for next year and be healthy."

The immediacy of the revelation obviously frustrated Gonzalez. But during his final two appearances, he began to sense that something wasn't right. While throwing a scoreless inning against his former Pirates teammates on May 11, his fastball was anywhere from 87-90 mph.

Then four days later at RFK Stadium with his fastball not exceeding 84 mph, he surrendered a leadoff triple and two long fly balls. Although the only discomfort he felt that evening came via the spasms that came while running his hands through his hair, Gonzalez knew something wasn't right.

"In Pittsburgh, I ought to be throwing 97 mph, just because I'm back home," Gonzalez said. "I definitely felt something different -- not pain, just discomfort. I went to Washington that first day. I didn't get in [the game], but when I was warming up, I felt something awkward. The next day, you saw me throwing 82 mph and that was pretty much it. I knew there was something I had to do with it."

When the Braves acquired Gonzalez, they were well aware that left elbow tendinitis had sidelined him for the final five weeks of last year. But until Thursday, no MRI exam had shown any structural damage. Thus, the club doesn't believe the Pirates sent them damaged goods.

After battling some discomfort during the first 2 1/2 weeks of this season, Gonzalez's mind was put at ease when an April 19 MRI showed no structural damage. He became even more confident with his elbow when, over the course of the next 10 innings, he held opponents scoreless and registered nine strikeouts.

Because of all this, Gonzalez believes this tear might have started during his appearance in Pittsburgh. The Braves believe this is a definite possibility.

"As you know, all of the preliminary trade conversations involved medical information that was well examined," Schuerholz said. "Plus, you saw how well he was throwing earlier this year."

With Gonzalez, who converted each of his 24 save opportunities with the Pirates last year, out of the mix, the Braves obviously lack the relief depth that had separated them from almost every other Major League team. With Gonzalez, Wickman and Soriano, they had three bona fide closers.

Currently Macay McBride, who was just recalled from Triple-A Richmond last week, is Atlanta's only left-handed reliever. Cox says the club may take a look at 40-year-old left-hander Rheal Cormier, who has allowed one earned run in 5 1/3 innings over three appearances for Richmond.

Cormier, who was signed after being released by the Reds earlier this month, owns 683 career Major League appearances. In 64 combined appearances with Cincinnati and Philadelphia last year, he saw left-handed batters hit .289 against him.

Gonzalez's absence also likely means an enhanced role for Tyler Yates, who has allowed two hits and issued two walks while keeping opponents scoreless over his past 10 innings.

Still, Yates was among the many Braves disheartened Friday when it was revealed that Gonzalez was lost for the season.

"It [stinks] hearing that about one of your superstars," Braves catcher Brian McCann said. "But we've got to move on. We need somebody to step in, in his place."