PSA for every baseball family: here's what Tommy John surgery recovery actually looks like π§΅βΎ
if your pitcher just got diagnosed with a UCL tear or is scheduled for Tommy John surgery β 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" β actual phases, actual milestones.
the tldr:
day 0 β surgery (outpatient, home same day)
weeks 1β3 β splint, rest, swelling control
weeks 3β6 β early PT, range of motion comes back
months 2β4 β strengthening phase (elbow, shoulder, core)
months 4β6 β flat-ground throwing starts π―
months 6β9 β long toss, velocity monitored
months 9β12 β back on the mound (finally)
months 12β18 β full competitive clearance β
80β90% 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 β 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 β this is the timeline to understand before you make any decisions.
