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

In the playoffs, when more off-days allow for shorter rotations, Warren and Weathers could both be options out of the bullpen, as could Clake Schmidt, who is nearing a return from last summer’s Tommy John surgery. — Peter Sblendorio, New York Daily News, 6 Aug. 2026

Randy Rodriguez is still out after undergoing Tommy John surgery last year. — Eno Sarris, New York Times, 4 Aug. 2026

And after consultation, it was decided that Tommy John surgery was necessary. — Kansas City Star, 4 Aug. 2026

The right-hander missed all of last season after undergoing Tommy John surgery. — Lamond Pope, Chicago Tribune, 3 Aug. 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