Tommy John surgery

[ tom-ee jon sur-juh-ree ]

noun

, Medicine/Medical.

1. an operation to repair a torn ligament on the inner side of the elbow by replacing it with a tendon from elsewhere in the body or from a donor.

Word History and Origins

Origin of Tommy John surgery¹

First recorded in 1985–1990; after U.S. baseball pitcher Thomas Edward (“Tommy”) John (born 1943), who in 1974 was the first to undergo the surgery

Example Sentences

After missing the 2023 season rehabbing from Tommy John surgery, the pitcher struggled during the 2024 regular season.

From Los Angeles Times

In his return from a second career Tommy John surgery, Buehler went 1-6 with a 5.38 ERA.

From Los Angeles Times

Despite a woeful regular season in his return from a second career Tommy John surgery, Buehler showed signs of life at the end of the campaign.

From Los Angeles Times

Walker Buehler, 30, SP, Excel: Alarmingly ineffective in the regular season after coming back from a second Tommy John surgery, Buehler rehabilitated his value by regaining his command and his swagger during the postseason, pitching the ninth inning of the decisive Game 5 of the World Series two days after he pitched five innings.

From Los Angeles Times

Shane Bieber, 29, SP, Rosenhaus: The 2020 AL Cy Young Award winner underwent Tommy John surgery in April and won’t return until the middle of next season.

From Los Angeles Times