List of baseball players who underwent Tommy John surgery

List of baseball players who have undergone Tommy John surgery

Tommy John in 2008

The List of baseball players who underwent Tommy John surgery includes professional baseball players who have undergone the surgical procedure known as Tommy John surgery. This surgery is named after Tommy John, the first baseball player to undergo the procedure, which was performed by Dr. Frank Jobe in 1974. The surgery involves the reconstruction of the ulnar collateral ligament (UCL) in the elbow, a common injury among pitchers.

History of Tommy John Surgery

Tommy John surgery, or ulnar collateral ligament reconstruction, was first performed on Tommy John in 1974. The procedure was developed by orthopedic surgeon Dr. Frank Jobe, who used a tendon from John's forearm to replace the damaged ligament in his elbow. The success of the surgery allowed John to continue his career, and it has since become a common procedure for pitchers with similar injuries.

Notable Players Who Underwent the Surgery

Tommy John

Paul Molitor at the White House

Tommy John was the first player to undergo the surgery that now bears his name. After the procedure, he returned to play for 14 more seasons, winning 164 games and becoming a four-time All-Star.

Paul Molitor

Although primarily known as a position player, Paul Molitor underwent Tommy John surgery during his career. Molitor is a member of the Baseball Hall of Fame and had a successful career as a hitter and infielder.

José Mesa

José Mesa

José Mesa, a former Major League Baseball pitcher, underwent Tommy John surgery during his career. Mesa was known for his role as a closer and had a long career in the majors, including a stint with the Cleveland Indians.

John Farrell

John Farrell in 2017

John Farrell, a former pitcher and manager, also underwent Tommy John surgery. Farrell later became a successful manager, leading the Boston Red Sox to a World Series championship in 2013.

Scott Schoeneweis

Scott Schoeneweis

Scott Schoeneweis, a left-handed pitcher, underwent Tommy John surgery during his career. He played for several teams in the majors, including the New York Mets and the Arizona Diamondbacks.

Dewon Brazelton

Dewon Brazelton

Dewon Brazelton, a former pitcher, also underwent Tommy John surgery. Brazelton was a first-round draft pick and played for the Tampa Bay Devil Rays and the San Diego Padres.

Impact of Tommy John Surgery

Tommy John surgery has had a significant impact on the careers of many baseball players. The procedure has allowed numerous pitchers to extend their careers and return to their previous levels of performance. However, the surgery requires a lengthy rehabilitation process, often taking over a year for full recovery.

Related Pages

• Tommy John
• Ulnar collateral ligament reconstruction
• Baseball injuries
• List of Major League Baseball players