All articles tagged with #tommy john
The Philadelphia Phillies placed pitcher Brad Keller on the 15-day injured list with a right elbow UCL tear (retroactive to July 13). Seth Johnson was recalled to take his roster spot. It’s unclear if Keller will require surgery; non-surgical rehab can still take months and likely ends his season, with potential implications for 2027 if Tommy John is needed. The Phillies may look to bolster the bullpen at the trade deadline.
Gerrit Cole returns from Tommy John surgery for his long-awaited season debut Friday at Yankee Stadium against the Rays, likely on a pitch count as he ramps up, a potential jolt to the Yankees’ rotation and clubhouse in a key AL East matchup.
Returning from 15 months of rehab, Gerrit Cole preps for his season debut against the Rays with a familiar crouch behind the mound to steady his emotions and focus, drawing on a mental‑training approach honed since UCLA with Dr. Ken Ravizza to anchor his performance and regain control.
Gerrit Cole said he’s feeling 'really strong' in his final spring start, throwing 26 pitches over 1⅓ innings (averaging 96.3 mph, up to 98) as he continues Tommy John rehab; the Yankees are targeting a mid‑May return on a 14–18 month timeline, with a light workload ahead before Tampa, the April 3 home opener, and a possible rehab assignment afterward.
San Francisco Giants right-hander Hayden Birdsong will miss the 2026 season after opting for Tommy John surgery to repair a right elbow UCL injury. Surgeon Keith Meister will perform the procedure next week, with a typical 12-16 month recovery. Birdsong felt a pop in spring and an MRI showed a Grade 2 UCL sprain and forearm strain, prompting the decision to undergo surgery. His absence tightens the Giants’ pitching depth in the minors and could affect future call-ups, though Opening Day plans remain largely intact; candidates like Carson Whisenhunt, Carson Seymour, Blade Tidwell and Tristan Beck could contribute later in the year.
Gerrit Cole will throw an inning in a Grapefruit League game as he continues his Tommy John rehab, with a late-April return to the rotation still possible but not guaranteed; Carlos Rodón is similarly targeting April after elbow surgery, though the exact timeline remains fluid. Opening Day starter will be Max Fried, while Cole and Rodón remain sidelined; Boone said Ryan McMahon can play shortstop in a pinch behind José Caballero as Anthony Volpe opens the season on the injured list. The club is also evaluating rotation options (Schlittler, Gil, Warren, Weathers) and bench flexibility with Grichuk in consideration for the roster.
Shohei Ohtani's agent, Nez Balelo, stated that it is "inevitable" the Los Angeles Angels star will undergo some kind of procedure on his torn ulnar collateral ligament (UCL) in his elbow. While the severity of the injury remains uncertain, Ohtani will likely not be able to pitch next season but will continue to hit. The possibility of a new procedure called an internal brace, which is less invasive than Tommy John surgery, is being considered. Ohtani's impending surgery will impact his free agency and potential offers from interested teams.