Tommy John surgery

noun

Tom·​my John surgery ˈtä-mē-ˈjän- How to pronounce Tommy John surgery (audio)
plural Tommy John surgeries
: a surgical procedure in which a torn ulnar collateral ligament of the elbow is replaced with a tendon graft typically obtained from a superficial muscle of the forearm : ulnar collateral ligament reconstruction
Dr. Timothy Kremchek, the medical director for the Cincinnati Reds, specializes in an elbow-ligament reconstruction procedure commonly known as Tommy John surgery, named for the Los Angeles Dodgers pitcher who first underwent it, in 1974.Sara Corbett
But as an outfielder he hurt his throwing arm and had to have Tommy John surgery before the year was out.Kelli Anderson

Examples of Tommy John surgery in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Wyatt Mills Originally acquired in exchange for Methuen’s Jacob Wallace in 2023, Mills got off to a strong start in spring training before suffering an elbow injury that necessitated Tommy John surgery. Mac Cerullo, Boston Herald, 7 Feb. 2025 The two-time All-Star made two starts for Cleveland last season before right elbow soreness led to season-ending Tommy John surgery in April. Lamond Pope, Chicago Tribune, 7 Feb. 2025 Now 25, Patiño was claimed from the White Sox after the 2023 season only to undergo Tommy John surgery last year, wiping away the entire season. Jeff Sanders, San Diego Union-Tribune, 7 Feb. 2025 On the positive side, new manager Clayton McCullough will have the services of a Cy Young winner (Sandy Alcantara) who’s back from Tommy John surgery and ready to pitch on opening day on March 27 at home against Pittsburgh. Barry Jackson, Miami Herald, 5 Feb. 2025 See all Example Sentences for Tommy John surgery 

Word History

Etymology

after Tommy John (Thomas Edward John, Jr. born 1943), U.S. baseball player who underwent the surgery in 1974

First Known Use

1984, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of Tommy John surgery was in 1984

Dictionary Entries Near Tommy John surgery

Cite this Entry

“Tommy John surgery.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/Tommy%20John%20surgery. Accessed 13 Feb. 2025.

Medical Definition

Tommy John surgery

noun
Tom·​my John surgery ˈtäm-ē-ˈjän- How to pronounce Tommy John surgery (audio)
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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