Detroit Tigers pitcher Michael Fulmer will undergo season-ending Tommy John Surgery

Surgery will end Fulmer's 2019 season

Photo by Ron Schwane/Getty Images.

Detroit Tigers pitcher Michael Fulmer will undergo Tommy John Surgery on his right elbow, ending his 2019 season. 

The Tigers said Tuesday that Fulmer, after a recent bullpen session, began to experience right elbow soreness.

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"Based on the results of an MRI, and after receiving a second opinion from Dr. James Andrews, Tommy John Surgery has been recommended in order to reconstruct the UCL. Fulmer is seeking a third opinion at this time," the team said.

Wednesday, Fulmer said the third opinion was conclusive on the recommendation for surgery.

Tommy John Surgery, more formally known as ulnar collateral ligament (UCL) reconstruction, is used to repair a torn ulnar collateral ligament inside the elbow.

It may take overhead athletes more than a year or longer to return to their prior level of play after a UCL reconstruction.

Tommy John didn’t invent this procedure—he was a baseball pitcher who was the first to undergo it and successfully return to his sport.


About the Author:

Ken Haddad has proudly been with WDIV/ClickOnDetroit since 2013. He also authors the Morning Report Newsletter and various other newsletters, and helps lead the WDIV Insider team. He's a big sports fan and is constantly sipping Lions Kool-Aid.