Detroit Tigers pitcher Michael Fulmer may have to undergo Tommy John Surgery on his right elbow.
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.
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.
An update on Michael Fulmer: pic.twitter.com/i01SrPy2iB
— Detroit Tigers (@tigers) March 19, 2019