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

Jack Kochanowicz to have Tommy John surgery Angels pitcher Jack Kochanowicz needs Tommy John surgery, the team said Tuesday, and the 25-year-old right-hander is expected to be sidelined through the 2027 season. —Los Angeles Times, 10 June 2026

In three appearances since returning from Tommy John surgery, Phillips has pitched 2⅔ scoreless innings with two hits, three walks and three strikeouts. —Bill Plunkett, Oc Register, 10 June 2026

Los Angeles Angels pitcher Jack Kochanowicz needs Tommy John surgery, the team said Tuesday, and the 25-yeaer-old right-hander is expected to be sidelined through the 2027 season. —CBS News, 9 June 2026

However, the Yankees fell, 5-4, after Gerrit Cole permitted three dingers and four earned runs in his third start back from Tommy John surgery. —Gary Phillips, New York Daily News, 4 June 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