In 1974, Los Angeles Dodgers pitcher Tommy John underwent an experimental surgery on his left elbow. More than 50 years later, it’s become the default method for increasingly common ulnar collateral ligament repairs.
Loose bodies in the elbow are not nearly as hazardous to a pitcher’s health as torn UCLs. If the early results of Tarik Skubal’s recovery from his recent surgery are any indication, another new operating-room procedure might give pitchers a similarly optimistic outlook on an injury recovery timeline that historically was measured in months.
On May 6, Skubal underwent a novel procedure to remove a loose body from his elbow. One week later, the two-time American League Cy Young Award winner has been able to begin a throwing program, according to multiple reports.
Skubal’s projected return date is still to be determined, but the early results justify the hype around the procedure.
“Just the idea that he could be throwing, just days past (his surgery), is amazing,” injury expert Will Carroll said on the most recent episode of “Tiger Territory.”
Skubal’s agent, Scott Boras, said surgeon Dr. Neal ElAttrache used a NanoNeedle Scope 2.0. Far less invasive than the traditional loose body procedure, ElAttrache’s method is more akin to receiving a needle injection.
“This is really almost like receiving a shot,” Boras said on ESPN’s “Baseball Tonight” podcast. “We think that’s going to be a much shorter period [of rehabilitation]… and he’ll be able to return to performance at just a much, much earlier stage.”
In seven MLB seasons, all with Detroit, Skubal is 57-39 with a 3.06 ERA in 144 games (141 starts).
The 29-year-old left-hander was 3-2 with a 2.70 ERA in seven starts before he was suddenly scratched from his scheduled start on May 4. Last year, he won his second Cy Young Award in as many years by going 13-6 with an AL-leading 2.21 ERA.
In addition to Skubal, the Tigers have lost starting pitchers Justin Verlander (hip), Reese Olson (shoulder), Casey Mize (groin) and Jackson Jobe (Tommy John surgery) to various injuries.
Skubal can’t return soon enough. Not only was ElAttrache able to hasten his return, but Skubal’s timetable could also set a standard by which pitchers with similar injuries in the future are judged.