Tommy John surgery
noun
Tom·my John surgery
ˈtä-mē-ˈjän- 
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
Sara CorbettBut as an outfielder he hurt his throwing arm and had to have Tommy John surgery before the year was out.—Kelli Anderson
Kelli AndersonExamples of Tommy John surgery in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Soria, a bullpen ace over four seasons in Kansas City, had recovered from a 2012 Tommy John surgery to post an 11.3 K/9 rate in 44⅓ innings with the Rangers.
—Ryan Ford, Freep.com, 29 July 2025
Alcántara has struggled this year as he's recovered from Tommy John surgery.
—Zach Pressnell, MSNBC Newsweek, 27 July 2025
Starter German Marquez, in the final year of a two-year, $20 million extension, is on the disabled list again this season after spending much of 2024 out after Tommy John surgery.
—Jack Magruder, Forbes.com, 25 July 2025
Evan Phillips is out for the season following Tommy John surgery.
—Bill Plunkett, Oc Register, 24 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for Tommy John surgery
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Ryan Ford, Freep.com, 29 July 2025
Alcántara has struggled this year as he's recovered from Tommy John surgery.
—Zach Pressnell, MSNBC Newsweek, 27 July 2025
Starter German Marquez, in the final year of a two-year, $20 million extension, is on the disabled list again this season after spending much of 2024 out after Tommy John surgery.
—Jack Magruder, Forbes.com, 25 July 2025
Evan Phillips is out for the season following Tommy John surgery.
—Bill Plunkett, Oc Register, 24 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for 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 5 Aug. 2025.
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Tommy John surgery
noun
Tom·my John surgery
ˈtäm-ē-ˈjän-
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