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

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

Besides that, coach Jim Schlossnagle played it safe, resting several mainline performers, including 2025 All-American closer Dylan Volantis and Luke Harrison, a veteran of 17 career starts who's back for his final season after returning from Tommy John surgery in 2023. —Cedric Golden, Austin American Statesman, 1 Feb. 2026

This will be Emmet Sheehan’s first full season after Tommy John surgery. —Fabian Ardaya, New York Times, 1 Feb. 2026

Ohtani had his second career Tommy John surgery in September and did not return to pitching until last June with the Dodgers. —Anthony Solorzano, Los Angeles Times, 31 Jan. 2026

Scott, who missed last season after undergoing Tommy John surgery, can get some innings under his belt without the pressure of having to win big league games right away, and Tong can work on his pitch usage. —Abbey Mastracco, New York Daily News, 30 Jan. 2026

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

Rhymes for Tommy John surgery

• radiosurgery
• cryosurgery
• microsurgery
• neurosurgery
• psychosurgery
• perjury

Medical Definition

Tommy John surgery

noun

Tom·​my John surgery ˈtäm-ē-ˈjän- 

: ulnar collateral ligament reconstruction