Featured Tommy John Surgery Athletes

Tommy John Surgery

Although originally drafted by Chicago, he would later sign on as free agent with the San Francisco Giants and shortly thereafter, a long-term deal with the New York Yankees.  After a respectable first two years in the majors, Rodon was hampered by injuries over the next two years and was in and out of the rotation. After being announced to lead the White Sox rotation in 2019, he injured his pitching elbow in May of that season, requiring reconstructive surgery. He would receive Tommy John Surgery and treated by Dr. Neal ElAttrache and would miss most of the 2019 and 2020 seasons.

Return to Play

Rodon would return to mound at the end of the 2020 season making 4 appearances for the White Sox.

After Tommy John Accolades

Rodon signed a 1-yr free agent contract with the White Sox and went to complete one of his best years since his debut. In April 2021, he threw a no-hitter against Cleveland, and he would make back-to-back All-Star game selections in ’21-22 recording over 300 innings and a sub-3.00 ERA. Before the 2023 season, he would sign on as Yankee with a 6-yr contract and would compete for World Series title in 2024.

Tommy John Surgery

The L.A. Angels out bid all other MLB teams for the rights to Ohtani and featured him as a unique two-way star in the making for MLB. Ohtani would receive AL Rookie of the Year honors for his impressive first year performance with the bat and on the mound. During his MLB debut season, Ohtani began experiencing discomfort in his pitching arm and was placed on the DL with a grade 2 UCL sprain of the elbow. After treatment and return, he was later diagnosed with new damage to the UCL and required the first of two Tommy John surgeries. The first in 2018 and second in 2023. Both were performed by Dr. Neal ElAttrache.

Return to Play

Ohtani would return to the mound mid-season in 2020 after his first surgery.  After his second surgery, he is scheduled to pitch again for the start of the 2025

After Tommy John Accolades

Frustrated with his performances the prior two years, Ohtani would make 3 consecutive All-Star selections as both a pitcher and DH from 2021-2023. He would be selected the AL MVP in 2021 and 2023 and a runner up in 2022. He finished number four in Cy Young voting in 2022. With the advancements in Tommy John surgery, the L.A. Dodgers placed immense faith in his full recovery by awarding Ohtani with a historic contract, matching his elite star value. He rewarded the Dodgers with a 50+ HR and 50+ stolen Base season in 2024.  The first MLB player to reach that pinnacle. His accolades and historical accomplishments will continue to grow as a two-way star including making his first World Series appearance in 2024.

Tommy John Surgery

In 2014, Fried was ranked the top pitching prospect in the Padres minor league system. Nursing an injury most of the 2014 campaign in the minors, he was later diagnosed with an injured elbow that would require Tommy John Surgery at age 20 He was treated by Dr. Neal ElAttrache that same Summer and would miss all of the 2015 season.

Return to Play

Fried would return to mound to begin the 2016 season in the minors and eventually make his progression to the majors, permanently in 2019, first in the bullpen and then as a starter.

After Tommy John Accolades

Fried has pitched with his reconstructed elbow, first in the minors and then MLB since 2016, all with the Atlanta Braves. He has finished in the top 5 for the CY Young Award twice and collected 3 Golden Gloves and selected twice to the NL All-Star roster, along the way. He has logged nearly 900 innings thus far and led his teams to 7 consecutive postseasons from 2018-2024, winning the decisive game of the 2021 World Series.

Tommy John Surgery

Highly touted and drafted in 2007, he was selected in the third round by the Royals and after a brief retirement from baseball, he came back and finally made his MLB debut in 2011.

Return to Play

After making the starting a rotating coming out of Spring training 2012 with a new contract in hand, Duffy suffered an elbow injury after his 5th start of the season and later determine to undergo Tommy John Surgery to repair his torn UCL. The procedure would be performed by veteran Tommy John Surgery doctor, Lew Yocum, MD. He would miss parts of the 2012 and 2013 seasons.

After Tommy John Accolades

Beginning in 2014 and over the next six seasons, Duffy would average 150 innings pitched per season for the Royals on his reconstructed elbow. He would make five post season appearances including winning a World Series championship in 2015 with the Royals. He would complete over 1,000 innings pitched after surgery and complete his 11-year MLB career with a sub-4.00 ERA.

Tommy John Surgery

“Waino,” as his teammates named him, made the Opening Day roster in 2006 and would remain a constant in the Cardinals’ rotation for nearly two decades.  After an impressionable start to his career as a starter, a couple of Cy Young top 3 finishes and a league leading 19 wins in 2009, Wainwright reported to spring training in 2011 and experienced discomfort in his right elbow. The Cardinals soon after announced that Wainwright would miss the entire 2011 season requiring Tommy John Surgery. He would undergo the procedure and treatment later that same Spring.

Return to Play

Wainwright would report to Spring Training in 2012 after missing the entire 2011 campaign in elbow rehab and would assume his place in the Cardinal’s pitching rotation logging nearly 200 innings that season on his reconstructed pitching elbow.

After Tommy John Accolades

Wainwright would immediately regain his elite form for the Cardinals again finishing in the top 3 for the Cy Young award in 2013-2014 and making the All-Star roster each of those seasons. He would go on to pitch an additional 12 years, lead his teams to 7 postseasons, and log 134 wins. He would finish his career with 200 wins, 2,200+ strikeouts and over 2,600 innings pitched. He would rank 3rd all-time in wins in Cardinals’ history.

Jamie Moyer

Jamie Moyer is a former MLB pitcher for 8 teams and recognized for his longevity as an MLB pitcher.  He is the oldest MLB player to undergo Tommy John surgery and return to an MLB mound, undergoing the procedure at age 47.  He would return to compete before retiring at age 49.

Dewon Brazelton

Before the prevalence of the surgery with youth players, Brazelton underwent surgery while he was a high school pitching phenom in 1996.  He is recognized in one of the first high school baseball players to undergo Tommy John surgery and compete successfully at the MLB level.

Zak Cozart

Zak Cozart is a former MLB infield position player.  He would be the first MLB player to undergo Tommy John surgery in his non-throwing arm.

Jay Payton

Payton is a former MLB position player.  He is recognized as the first MLB position player to undergo Tommy John surgery twice and return to play.

Tommy John Surgery

Known for his competitiveness and overall durability, he would pitch a total of 15 years for 4 different ball clubs.  After a solid early career run as a starter, averaging over 200 innings per season for 9 years, and after signing on as a free agent with the Red Sox, he was hampered by elbow injuries in 2011. He was later diagnosed with a UCL injury after the season and required Tommy John surgery to repair his elbow causing him to sit the entire 2012 season. He was treated by Dr. Lewis Yocum in the Fall of 2011.

Return to Play

Lackey would return after missing the entire 2012 campaign and would start the 2013 season as a top of rotation pitcher for the Red Sox.

After Tommy John Accolades

Lackey would once again regain his form and durability as a starting pitcher after his return. He would go on to pitch an addtional five years in the majors for 3 diffrent teams. After surgery, he would average nearly 200 innings and start over 30 games per season, lead his teams to 5 postseasons and win 2 additional World Series Championships in 2013 and 2016.

Tommy John Surgery

He was considered one of the top relievers in the game during the 2000’s and is the first player selected from the tiny school of Stoney Brook University to reach the major leagues.  After a dominant run as a closer at the peak of his career, Nathan was sidelined by an elbow injury, later determined to require Tommy John surgery to repair his elbow before the start of the 2010 season. He was treated by Dr. David Altchek. It would be the first of his two Tommy John’s, the second coming in 2015.

Return to Play

Nathan would return from his first surgery after a year of rehab and would regain his role of closer for the Twins through the 2011 season.

After Tommy John Accolades

In his final year with the Twins, Nathan would become the club’s all-time saves career leader recording his 255th save in 2011. Signing as a free agent the Texas Rangers in 2012, he would go on to record stellar seasons with the club including All-Star selections in 2012 and 2013 with 80 saves. Before his second injury, he would record nearly 130 saves on his first reconstructed elbow. He would retire during the 2017 season with 377 career saves placing him in the top 10 all time and a stingy 2.87 ERA.

Tommy John Surgery

Strasburg was selected by the Nationals as the overall number pick in the 2009 MLB draft. Months into his debut rookie season, Strasburg suffered an elbow injury and tore his ulnar collateral ligament in his pitching arm requiring Tommy John Surgery. He was treated by Dr. Lewis Yocum of the Kerlan-Jobe Orthopaedic Clinic in 2010.

Return to Play

After a year of rehab, Strasburg would make his return to the mound appearing in 5 games to end the 2011 season and return to his phemom form in his first full season in 2012.

After Tommy John Accolades

Strasburg lived up to the high expectations of being a number overall pick. He recorded double digit wins in 7 of 8 years after surgery, earned All-Star selections in 2012, ’16 and ’17, led the league in wins in 2019 and help lead the Nationals to 3 post seasons including the 2019 World Series Championship and take home the MVP honors.

Tommy John Surgery

He made his MLB debut in 1999 and is recognized as one of the most consistent performing pitchers of his era.  He would pitch for 3 different teams spanning a 17-year career.  Traded to the Atlanta Braves after the 2004 season and after averaging over 200 innings per year since 2000, Hudson was hampered with an elbow injury in 2008 and later announced that he would undergo Tommy John Surgery prematurely ending his 2008 season and most of 2009.  He was treated by Dr. James Andrews, a contemporary to Dr. Yocum.

Return to Play

After a year of rehab, Hudson would make his return debut at the end of the 2009 campaign and resumed his place in the Braves rotation through the 2013 season.

After Tommy John Accolades

Hudson went on to extend his career another 6 seasons with his reconstructed elbow.  He would be selected to the All-Star game in 2010 and 2014, and average 180 innings per season; reached the 200 wins career mark in 2013 and lea his teams to 2 postseasons claiming the World Series Title in 2014 with the SF Giants.

Tommy John Surgery

Rated as the organization’s best prospect, Zimmermann landed on the disabled list after only 16 appearances with elbow pain during his 2009 rookie campaign and later would undergo Tommy John Surgery under the of care of Dr. Lewis Yocum of the Kerlan-Jobe Orthopaedic Clinic.

Return to Play

After a year of rehab, he would make his debut back to the big leagues at the end of the 2010 campaign appearing in seven games and would complete his first full season in 2011.

After Tommy John Accolades

Zimmermann went on to extend his career another 11 seasons with his reconstructed elbow. He would finish in the top 10 in the Cy Young voting in 2013 and 2014 along with All-Star selections and is credited with throwing the first no-hitter in Washington Nationals history in 2014 and led the Nationals to 2 postseason appearances. He finished his career logging in 1,600 innings pitched and appeared in 279 games.

Tommy John Surgery

Making his MLB debut for Toronto in 1997, he was slowed by injuries during his tenure, and he entered free agency after the 2002 season. While recovering from shoulder surgery, Carpenter signed with the Cardinals, revitalizing his career and a successful 3 years that would include a Cy Young award in 2004. Carpenter landed on the DL again, this time with elbow issues and underwent Tommy John surgery in 2007.

Return to Play

After missing the parts of two seasons, Carpenter would make his much-anticipated return mid-way through the 2008 campaign.

After Tommy John Accolades

After his Tommy John, Carpenter would return to top-of-rotation form leading the Cardinals to the posteseason in 2009 and finishing 2nd in the Cy Young race. He would go on to pitch an additional 4 years averaging over 200 innings for 3 of the 4 seasons and make the All-Star squad in 2010 while leading the Cardinals to 3 postseasons and a World Series Championship. He retired after the 2012 season.

Tommy John Surgery

Liriano would undergo Tommy John Surgery cutting his rookie season short under the of care of Dr. Lewis Yocum of the Kerlan-Jobe Orthopaedic Clinic, cutting his rookie season short. In spite of his shortened season, he would lead the majors in ERA 2.19, win back-to-back rookie of the months awards and earn an All-Star game selection prior to the injury.

Return to Play

After a year and a half of rehab, Liriano would make his much-anticipated return at the start of the 2008 campaign for the Twins.

After Tommy John Accolades

After his first Tommy John, Liriano’s career would be marked with multiple highs and lows, trades and inujry set-backs. He would throw a no-hitter in 2011, earn two comeback player of the year awards in 2010 and 2013, and shuttled back and forth from rotation to the bullpen for underperformance. He would retire after the 2021 season logging over 400 appearances and over 1,700 innings with his reconstructed elbow. He appeared in 10 post season series including the 2017 World Champs Houston Astros.

Tommy John Surgery

Rafael Soriano is a former MLB pitcher who played for 6 different teams spanning a 14-year career. He was originally signed out of the Dominican Republic in 1997 as a outfielder by the Seattle Mariners and later converted to a pitcher.  Vying for a spot on the starting rotation after the 2003 Spring training and after being ranked the 27th best prospect in baseball, he would make his MLB debut later that season. Soriano would injure his pitching elbow the following season, requiring surgery performed by the late Dr. Lew Yocum.

Return to Play

After a thirteen-month rehab, Soriano would make his much-anticipated return at the end of the 2005 campaign for the Mariners and go on to pitch nine more years with his reconstructed elbow.

After Tommy John Accolades

After Tommy John, Soriano would grow into one of the most formidable relief pitchers in baseball. In 2010 he would be named Delivery Man of the Month twice as the most outstanding reliever and the only pitcher to be recognized in the same season and making the AL All-Star. He would eclipse the 40+ save tier on three occasions, record a 2.89 ERA and complete over 200 career saves.

Tommy John Surgery

During his first full season in 2001, Burnett would throw a no-hitter for Marlins.  Burnett would have success early in his career but after only 4 starts in 2003, he would land on the disabled list diagnosed with an elbow injury requiring Tommy John surgery just as his career had begun to establish as a top-rotation pitcher. He had his elbow reconstructed by Dr. Jobe contemporary, Dr. James Andrews, requiring a 14-month rehab prior to his return

Return to Play

Burnett would return to an MLB mound in June of 2004 making 19 starts for the Marlins, going 7–6 with an ERA of 3.68. His would also reach over 100+ mph regularly on his pitches.

After Tommy John Accolades

Burnett would go on to pitch an additional 12 years before retiring in 2015 and a 17-year MLB career. Post surgery, he led the league twice in starts, logged 2,200 innings, appeared in 8 postseason games, was a World Series champ in 2009 and an All-Star selection in his final season at age 38.

Tommy John Surgery

Making his debut in 2007, he would advance to the majors after starting his career in the Mexican League and played for 9 different teams spanning a 14-year career.  Soria would undergo Tommy John Surgery at age 19 while in the Dodgers minor league system in 2003 under the care of Dr. Frank Jobe of the Kerlan-Jobe Orthopaedic Clinic and was shut down for 2 years. He would need a second Tommy John a decade later this time performed by Dr. Lewis Yocum.

Return to Play

After two years off and continued development in the minors with his repaired elbow, Soria would make his MLB debut in 2007 for the KC Royals and again returned to form after his second Tommy John after a 15-month rehab midway through the 2013 season for the Texas Rangers.

After Tommy John Accolades

After his first Tommy John, remarkedly, Soria would put together one of the most impressive starts to an MLB career with the Royals including 2 All-Star game selections, 120 saves and an ERA just over 2.00. He would go on to record his 200th career save after his 2nd TJ and finish in the top 50 of career save leaders and a 3.11 ERA.