PSA for every baseball family: here's what Tommy John surgery recovery actually looks like š§µā¾
if your pitcher just got diagnosed with a UCL tear or is scheduled for Tommy John surgery ā save this.
this infographic breaks down the real recovery timeline from surgery day all the way to full return to competition. no fluff, no vague "it takes about a year" ā actual phases, actual milestones.
the tldr:
day 0 ā surgery (outpatient, home same day)
weeks 1ā3 ā splint, rest, swelling control
weeks 3ā6 ā early PT, range of motion comes back
months 2ā4 ā strengthening phase (elbow, shoulder, core)
months 4ā6 ā flat-ground throwing starts šÆ
months 6ā9 ā long toss, velocity monitored
months 9ā12 ā back on the mound (finally)
months 12ā18 ā full competitive clearance ā
80ā90% of pitchers return to their prior level of competition when the surgery is done right and the protocol is followed.
this comes from Dr. Christopher Ahmad MD ā the Head Team Physician for the New York Yankees and one of the most experienced Tommy John surgery specialists in New York City.
full guide (worth bookmarking): http://drchristophersahmad.wordpress.com/2026/06/01/tommy-john-surgery-baseball-players-parents-guide/
whether you're a high school pitcher, a college player, or a baseball parent trying to make sense of what comes next ā this is the timeline to understand before you make any decisions.
