PSA for every baseball family: here's what Tommy John surgery recovery actually looks like 🧵⚾
if your pitcher just got diagnosed with a UCL tear or is scheduled for Tommy John surgery — 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" — actual phases, actual milestones.
the tldr:
day 0 → surgery (outpatient, home same day)
weeks 1–3 → splint, rest, swelling control
weeks 3–6 → early PT, range of motion comes back
months 2–4 → strengthening phase (elbow, shoulder, core)
months 4–6 → flat-ground throwing starts 🎯
months 6–9 → long toss, velocity monitored
months 9–12 → back on the mound (finally)
months 12–18 → full competitive clearance ✅
80–90% 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 — 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 — this is the timeline to understand before you make any decisions.
