The Seattle Mariners have been dealt a major blow to their starting rotation as left-handed pitcher Drew Smyly is set to undergo Tommy John surgery. The announcement was made official on Wednesday after it was found that Smyly had a torn ulnar collateral ligament in his left arm.
The loss of Smyly is a significant setback for the Mariners, who were counting on him as a key contributor to their starting rotation.
Smyly had struggled in the early part of the season, posting a 6.15 ERA in his first six starts, but was expected to rebound and play a vital role for the team moving forward.
Tommy John surgery is a major procedure in which the ulnar collateral ligament in the elbow is replaced with a tendon from another part of the body.
The recovery time is typically between 12 and 18 months, which means that Smyly is expected to miss the remainder of the 2017 season and a significant portion of the 2018 season as well.
Understanding Tommy John Surgery
Tommy John surgery is a common procedure among athletes, particularly baseball players. It is a reconstructive surgery that is used to repair a damaged ulnar collateral ligament (UCL) in the arm of a player.
The surgery was named after former pitcher Tommy John, who was the first athlete to undergo the procedure. In this article, we will discuss the intricacies of the surgery, why it’s necessary for some athletes, and its success rate.
What is Tommy John Surgery?
According to the American Orthopedic Society for Sports Medicine (AOSSM), Tommy John surgery is a surgical procedure used to reconstruct the UCL in the elbow. The UCL is a ligament on the inner side of the elbow that connects the humerus bone to the ulna bone.
The procedure involves replacing the damaged ligament with a tendon from another part of the patient’s body, typically the forearm, hamstring, or knee. This new tendon is then grafted onto the patient’s elbow in place of the damaged ligament.
Why is It Necessary for Some Athletes?
Tommy John surgery is necessary for athletes, particularly baseball players, whose UCL is damaged. Common causes of UCL damage include repetitive throwing motions, overuse, and high-velocity throwing.
These injuries can result in pain and swelling in the elbow, decreased range of motion, and difficulty in throwing. If left untreated, the UCL can tear completely, rendering the athlete unable to perform at their desired level.
Tommy John surgery is necessary to repair the torn ligament and restore the athlete’s range of motion and ability to throw.
Success Rate of the Surgery
Tommy John surgery has a high success rate, with many athletes returning to their pre-injury performance level. According to a study conducted by the AOSSM, up to 80% of baseball players who underwent Tommy John surgery were able to return to their previous level of play within 12-18 months after the surgery.
However, it is important to note that the success of the surgery depends on various factors, including the extent of the original injury and the athlete’s dedication to their rehabilitation program. Moreover, there is no guarantee that an athlete will return to their previous level of performance after the surgery.
Tommy John surgery is a necessary procedure for athletes whose UCL is damaged. It involves replacing the damaged ligament with a tendon from another part of the athlete’s body.
The success rate of the surgery is high, with many athletes returning to their pre-injury performance level. However, it is important to note that the success of the surgery depends on several factors and there is no guarantee of a full recovery.
The Impact of the Injury
The recent announcement by the Seattle Mariners regarding starting pitcher Drew Smyly’s Tommy John surgery has already sent waves across the sports world. With the left-hander scheduled to miss the rest of the season, the Mariners will need to find solutions to fill the void left by one of their key players.
The Impact on the Seattle Mariners
Drew Smyly was signed by the Seattle Mariners during the 2016 offseason, and he was expected to help bolster the team’s starting rotation. However, his debut season with the team has been far from ideal. Smyly has only pitched 31 innings in 2017, posting a 6.63 ERA and a 1.875 WHIP.
Despite this unimpressive performance, the Mariners were still counting on Smyly’s potential to help them compete in the highly competitive American League West.
With Smyly out of the picture, the Mariners will have to rely on their remaining starting pitchers to step up their game. Currently, the Seattle starting rotation is made up of Felix Hernandez, James Paxton, Ariel Miranda, Yovani Gallardo, and Sam Gaviglio.
Paxton, in particular, has been having a breakout season and has emerged as the team’s ace, so his continued success will be essential for the Mariners to remain competitive.
Players Who Will Step Up
In addition to Paxton, the Mariners will need other players to rise to the occasion and fill Smyly’s shoes. Ariel Miranda, who has been a consistent presence in the rotation, will be relied upon to pitch deep into ballgames.
Gallardo, who has struggled since the beginning of the season, will need to find a way to regain his form and pitch with greater consistency.
In terms of who will step up in Smyly’s absence, there is also the potential for the Mariners to recall some of their top pitching prospects from the minor leagues. Andrew Moore and Max Povse are two potential candidates who could be called up to take Smyly’s place in the rotation.
Moves to Replace Smyly
The Mariners have not yet made any moves to replace Smyly, as they appear to be content with their current options. There is the possibility that they could make a trade to acquire a veteran pitcher, but the team might choose to wait until closer to the trade deadline to assess their needs.
Drew Smyly’s Tommy John surgery has put the Seattle Mariners in a difficult position. With one of their starting pitchers out for the rest of the season, the team will have to rely on their remaining rotation players to fill the void.
Despite this setback, the Mariners still possess enough talent to remain competitive in the American League West.
Smyly’s Recovery Process
Timeline of His Recovery
Drew Smyly will undergo Tommy John surgery on July 6th, which means he will miss the remainder of the 2017 season. The typical recovery time for Tommy John surgery is around 12-18 months, which means Smyly will likely miss all of the 2018 season as well.
He may be able to return to the mound sometime during the 2019 season, but this is subject to change based on his rehabilitation progress.
What Will Smyly’s Rehabilitation Entail?
Smyly’s rehabilitation will begin with immobilizing his arm in a cast for a few weeks to allow for the incision to heal properly. After the cast is removed, he will likely start physical therapy to regain range of motion and rebuild strength in his arm muscles.
Once this phase is complete, Smyly will begin a throwing program, which will gradually increase in intensity and length. It is important that Smyly follows the doctor’s orders and does not rush his recovery to ensure that he does not suffer another arm injury.
Probability of Smyly Returning to His Previous Form
There is always a risk associated with undergoing Tommy John surgery, and some pitchers never return to their previous form. However, many pitchers have had successful returns from the surgery, and Smyly is still relatively young at 27 years old.
Additionally, Smyly’s injury was to his non-throwing arm, which could potentially aid in his recovery. While there are no guarantees, the odds of Smyly returning to his previous form are positive, as long as he follows a rigorous rehabilitation program and is patient with his recovery.
Drew Smyly’s recovery process from Tommy John surgery will be a long and arduous one, but if he follows the appropriate rehabilitation program and remains patient, there is a good chance he will return to his previous form.
It will be interesting to see how he progresses, and Mariners fans should continue to keep an eye on his recovery process.
Similar Injuries in Mlb
Other Mlb Players Who Have Undergone Similar Operations
Tommy John surgery, named after the former MLB pitcher who was the first to undergo the operation in 1974, is a procedure that has become increasingly common for pitchers in recent years.
In addition to Drew Smyly, a number of other MLB pitchers have undergone Tommy John surgery, including Stephen Strasburg, Matt Harvey, and Masahiro Tanaka.
Their Recoveries and Future Successes
The recovery time for Tommy John surgery is typically 12-18 months, with a significant amount of time spent on rehabilitation and strengthening exercises.
While some pitchers have successfully returned to previous levels of performance after the surgery, others have struggled with their recovery and have seen a decline in their abilities.
Stephen Strasburg, for example, underwent Tommy John surgery in 2010 and has since made a successful recovery, becoming one of the top pitchers in the league.
Matt Harvey, on the other hand, has struggled with his recovery and has yet to regain his previous form. Masahiro Tanaka underwent the surgery in 2014 and has since had mixed success on the mound.
Is It Common for Pitchers to Undergo Tommy John Surgery?
While Tommy John surgery was once a relatively rare procedure, it has become much more commonplace in recent years. In 2014 alone, 28 MLB pitchers underwent the surgery, and the trend has continued in the years since.
This increase in Tommy John surgeries has led to speculation about the causes of the injuries, with some experts pointing to overuse and high pitch counts as contributing factors.
Overall, while Tommy John surgery can be a difficult and lengthy recovery process, it has become an increasingly common solution for pitchers dealing with elbow injuries.
With proper rehabilitation and care, many pitchers are able to return to their previous levels of performance, while others may struggle to regain their form.
To Recap
Overall, the loss of Drew Smyly to injury is a significant blow to the Seattle Mariners and their prospects for the upcoming 2017 season.
The team will need to find a way to replace his production in the starting rotation and hope that he can make a full recovery in time for the 2018 campaign.
