Chipper plans to return on Friday Aug 3, 2008
What Hudson initially thought was only a strained muscle turned out to be a torn ulnar collateral ligament in his pitching elbow, and he's expected to have season-ending ligament-transplant surgery. Hudson planned to test his arm with flat-ground throwing Sunday. (Atlanta Journal-Constitution)
Baseball aimsto protect pitchers Aug 2, 2008
Andrews himself reports that the number of players undergoing Tommy John surgery reconstruction of the ulnar collateral ligament in the pitching elbow is up nearly fourfold from a decade ago. More disturbingly, the number of high school and youth-age players undergoing the surgery is up sevenfold. (MSNBC -- Sports)
Hudson needs 'miracle' to avoid surgery Aug 1, 2008
The MRI exam shows two tears one complete, one partial in his ulnar collateral ligament, and Braves pitcher Tim Hudson knows what it would take for him to avoid reconstructive elbow surgery and a one-year recovery period. "Hey, man, miracles happen," said Hudson, who is hoping for one, but not expecting it. (Atlanta Journal-Constitution -- Sports)
Major elbow surgeryin store for Hudson? Jul 31, 2008
Dr. James Andrews examined Hudson on Wednesday in Birmingham and came to a similar concusion as Braves orthopedist Xavier Duralde, who examined the pitcher earlier Wednesday in Atlanta and advised "Tommy John" surgery for a torn ulnar collateral ligament ... A dye-injection MRI exam on Monday showed a tear in the ulnar collateral ligament in his pitching elbow, an injury that typically requires ligament-transplant surgery and a 12-month recovery period. (Atlanta Journal-Constitution)
Hudson, Smoltz to have arms checked Jul 30, 2008
A dye-injection MRI exam on Hudson's right elbow Monday showed damage to the ulnar collateral ligament, which surprised Hudson and the Braves. He had tightness in the forearm in his last start Wednesday at Florida, but Hudson said he didn't think he had anything more than inflammation. (Atlanta Journal-Constitution)
Hudson's status unclear for the next few days Jul 30, 2008
The Braves pitcher was placed on the disabled list Monday before an MRI exam showed damage in the ulnar collateral ligament are of the right-hander's elbow. Hudson will meet with Braves orthopedist Xavier Duraldo on Wednesday. (Atlanta Journal-Constitution -- Sports)
Sifting through Braves' Black Monday Jul 30, 2008
Oh, and during that ugly defeat, the Braves hastily called a press conference in the back of the pressbox to announce that the MRI on Hudson s elbow revealed potentially awful news ulnar collateral ligament damage. Everyone including the Braves and Hudson seemed genuinely surprised by the development. (Atlanta Journal-Constitution -- Sports)
Hudson out for year? Jul 29, 2008
An MRI done Monday afternoon showed damage in the ulnar collateral ligament area of the elbow, though Hudson and Wren said it wasn't known if he has a torn ligament that would require season-ending "Tommy John" ligament-transplant surgery. "That's the obvious procedure that's going to fix any kind of ligament damage," Hudson said. (Atlanta Journal-Constitution)
Youthful fling with surgery Jul 26, 2008
Tommy John surgery, or ulnar collateral ligament reconstruction, refers to the replacement of a damaged elbow ligament with a tendon from elsewhere in the body usually the forearm, according to Cain. The ligament provides stability when doing any throwing motion but can fray, stretch or tear from overuse or without warning from one sudden movement. (Albany Democrat-Herald, OR)
VandenHurk leads Marlins' one-hitter Jul 23, 2008
" The righty has been somewhat hampered by injuries since being signed by the Marlins as a non-drafted free agent in 2002. He underwent Tommy John elbow reconstruction surgery in 2005 and, after being optioned to Double-A this year, VandenHurk suffered an ulnar nerve injury in his right arm in late April. But he looked healthier than ever against the Braves. "I used [the slider] tonight, and just tried to get something I can throw offspeed, and I was able to do that with my slider and the... (MLB.com -- Florida Marlins)
Trading Tex not as simple as some think Jul 22, 2008
McCann s 2-for-4 with a homer off the Dutch boy, who s been in Double-A and only made two starts this season for Florida before an ulnar nerve problem sidelined him six weeks. By SaltyDawg. (Atlanta Journal-Constitution)
McAdam: Baldelli still fighting his way back Jul 21, 2008
But after that second season, he suffered a torn ACL playing backyard baseball with his younger brother, and while rehabbing that injury the following year, he tore the ulnar collateral ligament in his right elbow. Baldelli became a rarity: a position player who needed Tommy John surgery. (ESPN -- Baseball)
Twins midterm report Jul 17, 2008
RHP Neshek -- A tear in the ulnar collateral ligament of his right pitching elbow shut down the setup man's season in early May. SS Adam Everett -- A stress reaction in his right shoulder has k 00001E58 ept the shortstop out of the lineup for the majority of the first half. (MLB.com -- Minnesota Twins)
Torn ACLs, other big injuries hit little athletes Jul 15, 2008
The worst is a torn ulnar collateral ligament on the inside of the elbow. By 2006, nearly a third of Tommy John surgeries to repair it were on patients under 18, Cain told a meeting of the American Orthopaedic Society for Sports Medicine. (Orangeburg Times and Democrat, SC)
Elbow Injuries on Rise Among Young Athletes Jul 14, 2008
At issue are injuries to the ulnar collateral ligament, or UCL. It's a tiny ligament -- just a half-inch long -- that's crucial to keeping the elbow stable when a person throws something, Cain said. In some cases, the ligament tears or becomes stretched out. (Health-Finder)
Johnson glad to be back with Marlins Jul 13, 2008
He was hampered by forearm tightness and an ulnar nerve condition. Eventually, a ligament tear was discovered, and he underwent the rigors of battling back from Tommy John surgery, which typically takes 12-18 months. (MLB.com -- Florida Marlins)
Gonzalez has surgery Jul 8, 2008
OF Norris Hopper tomorrow is scheduled to have Tommy John surgery to repair the torn ulnar collateral ligament in his right elbow. Email Story. (WKRC.com, OH)
Mariners trying to set Putz's return Jul 8, 2008
Putz went on the disabled list on June 13 with a hyperextended right elbow that resulted in triceps tendon inflammation and an irritated ulnar nerve. On Monday in Oakland, he threw 20 pitches off of a bullpen mound for the first time as he tries to get back to health and back in the bullpen. (MLB.com -- Seattle Mariners)
Knee surgery ends Gonzalez's season Jul 8, 2008
In other injury news, outfielder Norris Hopper is scheduled to have Tommy John surgery on Tuesday to repair a torn ulnar collateral ligament in his right elbow. is a reporter for MLB.com. (MLB.com -- Cincinnati Reds)
Number of Tommy John procedures on the rise Jul 5, 2008
"Tommy John" surgery is a procedure where a damaged elbow ligament (ulnar collateral ligament or UCL) is replaced with a tendon from elsewhere in the body. The surgery is named for Hall of Fame pitcher Tommy John, who was the first person to have the surgery in 1974. (Clanton Advertiser, AL)
Reds' Hopper lost for season to surgery Jul 5, 2008
The Reds outfielder will undergo season-ending reconstructive surgery on his right elbow on Tuesday after an MRI revealed a torn ulnar collateral ligament. Hopper missed much of the season with what was described as inflammation in his right elbow, but was reinstated June 18. (MLB.com -- Cincinnati Reds)
Nelson ready to bounce back from injury Jun 29, 2008
According to Wikipedia, Tommy John surgery, which Nelson explained is also called UCL (ulnar collateral ligament) surgery is a surgical procedure in which a ligament in the elbow is replaced with a tendon from elsewhere in the body. After the tendon from the forearm of the opposite elbow is harvested it is then woven in a figure-eight pattern through tunnels that have been drilled in the ulna and humerus bone that are part of the elbow joint. (Rockingham Daily Journal, NC)
Pitch count strikes balance in Little League Jun 26, 2008
Dr. James Andrews, one of the country s leading orthopedic surgeons and a member of ASMI, noticed an increase in the number of Ulnar Collateral Ligament Reconstruction surgeries, otherwise known as Tommy John surgery. The surgery, named after the former Major League Baseball pitcher, is the reconstruction of the pitcher s torn ligament in his elbow. (Half Moon Bay Review, CA)
Nationals 1B Johnson could miss rest of season Jun 24, 2008
The team announced hand and wrist specialist Dr. Richard Berger recommended a diagnostic arthroscopy to evaluate the ligaments on the ulnar side of Johnson's wrist. Johnson will undergo the procedure Tuesday at the Mayo Clinic. (SportsIllustrated.CNN -- MLB)
Injury news on Bucs arms not serious Jun 24, 2008
The test revealed medial epicondylitis and no damage to the ulnar collateral ligament. Snell is currently listed as day-to-day. (MLB.com -- Pittsburgh Pirates)
Snell, Dumatrait injuries not serious Jun 24, 2008
The arthrogram, performed at Allegheny General Hospital by the team physician, Dr. Patrick DeMeo, showed no damage to the ulnar collateral ligament, near where the pain was occurring. Snell almost surely will miss his scheduled start Friday, if only because the arthrogram involves injecting dye into the elbow and prevents throwing for 48 hours. (Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, PA)
Pirates' Snell, Dumatrait get upbeat injury news Jun 24, 2008
The arthrogram revealed no damage to the ulnar collateral ligament, which is far more important to a pitcher. He might miss one start. (Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, PA -- Sports)
Tommy John veterans fill Giants 'pen Jun 20, 2008
"No one talks about that. They're out of the limelight. It's kind of like out of sight, out of mind." Tommy John surgery 00002459 repairs the ulnar collateral ligament on the inside of the elbow joint. Typically, a surgeon will fix the torn ligament by removing a tendon from the patient's forearm or hamstring, then grafting it into the elbow. (MLB.com -- San Francisco Giants)
Mariners' Putz lands on DL with sore elbow Jun 14, 2008
A MRI exam taken on Thursday revealed that the Mariners closer hyperextended his right elbow, resulting in "triceps tendon inflammation and an irritated ulnar nerve." The exam showed no damage to the ulnar collateral ligament or the flexor bundle in his right elbow. "I went into (the exam) thinking of the worst," Putz said prior to the Mariners' Interleague series opener against the Nationals at Safeco Field. (MLB.com -- Seattle Mariners)
Putz lands on 15-day DL Jun 14, 2008
Putz had an MRI exam Thursday, and team physician Dr. Edward Khalfayan's diagnosis was triceps tendon inflammation and an irritated ulnar nerve. Putz is to refrain from pitching this weekend and will be reevaluated on Monday. (SportsIllustrated.CNN -- MLB)
Dickey moves to rotation; Batista to 'pen Jun 13, 2008
It was diagnosed that Putz hyperextended his right elbow, resulting in triceps tendon inflammation and an irritated ulnar nerve. The exam showed no damage to the ulnar collateral ligament or the flexor bundle in his right elbow. (MLB.com -- Seattle Mariners)
Indians All-Star Martinez to have elbow surgery Jun 13, 2008
Westbrook had surgery in Los Angeles by Dr. Lewis Yocum to reconstruct the ulnar collateral ligament in his elbow. Soloff said he was told the surgery went well. (SportsIllustrated.CNN)
Marlins mailbag: Why the fuzzy picture? Jun 10, 2008
Some are calling it an ulnar nerve issue. But he returned to the Double-A Carolina rotation on May 31, and he threw five innings, giving up four runs. (MLB.com -- Florida Marlins)
Pistons assistant Porter gets Suns job Jun 8, 2008
12) will have surgery to repair a torn ulnar collateral ligament in the next week or two. Padres pitcher Jake Peavy (strained right elbow) threw 61 pitches in a simulated game and is likely to return to the rotation Thursday. (Boston Globe)
Tulowitzki working quad back into shape Jun 8, 2008
12 ERA) will have surgery to repair a torn ulnar collateral ligament in his right elbow, sidelining him for the rest of the season. Bonderman finished, too: Tigers right-hander Jeremy Bonderman (3-4, 4. (San Francisco Chronicle -- Sports)
Covering the bases Jun 8, 2008
Westbrook was placed on the disabled list Tuesday, retroactive to May 29, and Indians trainer Lonnie Soloff said Saturday Westbrook will have surgery to repair a torn ulnar collateral ligament in the next week or two. Gomes begins serving suspensionTampa Bay Rays outfielder Jonny Gomes dropped his appeal and began serving his five-game suspension Saturday night while his teammates played the Texas Rangers. (News & Observer -- Sports)
Westbrook done for the year Jun 8, 2008
Westbrook was placed on the disabled list Tuesday, retroactive to May 29, and Indians trainer Lonnie Soloff said Saturday he will have surgery to repair a torn ulnar collateral ligament in the next week or two. "If you pitch long enough at a high level, you are going to experience some kind of an arm breakdown, whether it is your shoulder or your elbow," Soloff said. (ESPN -- Baseball)
Westbrook to miss rest of season Jun 8, 2008
Dr. Mark Schickendantz, the Indians' medical director, discovered the tear in Westbrook's ulnar collateral ligament Tuesday and recommended surgery ... What Soloff can say with certainty is that this injury is unrelated to the elbow surgery Westbrook had performed in 2002, when bone spurs were removed and his ulnar nerve was transposed. (MLB.com -- Cleveland Indians)
Westbrook to see elbow specialist Jun 5, 2008
Westbrook had surgery to remove bone spurs and transpose the ulnar nerve in his right elbow in 2002, and he missed the first half of that season. He then suffered from elbow inflammation in late August and missed the remainder of the year. (MLB.com -- Cleveland Indians)
Willis set for hometown start Jun 3, 2008
Another reliever, Joey Devine, also has a strained ulnar collateral ligament, and he said that he felt much better and he is hoping to be allowed to play some light catch today. Reliever Andrew Brown, who had an appendectomy last month, was cleared to go on a rehab assignment and he said he is not sure if he is going to Sacramento or Stockton. (San Francisco Chronicle -- Sports)
Gators' McArthur masters adversity May 30, 2008
His 2007 season lasted just one game - he suffered a torn ulnar collateral ligament in his right elbow after hitting a home run in the season opener against VMI and underwent Tommy John surgery. McArthur's redshirt senior season was rolling along nicely until April 2, when he ruptured the anterior cruciate ligament in his right knee against North Florida. (Florida Times-Union)
Marlins' Johnson hurls in simulated game May 21, 2008
" In Johnson's first full season in the Major Leagues in 2006, the 6-foot-7 right-hander went 12-7 with a 3.10 ERA in 31 games -- 24 of them starts. Last year, Johnson began the season on the 15-day disabled list with ulnar nerve irritation in his pitching arm and was never able to get fully healthy, finishing the season 0-3 with a 7.47 ERA in four starts before eventually being transferred to the 60-day DL on Aug. 10 -- seven days after his surgery. The Marlins could use another starting... (MLB.com -- Florida Marlins)
Jazz F Millsap To Undergo Surgery May 20, 2008
(Sports Network) - Utah Jazz forward Paul Millsap will undergo surgery to repair a torn ulnar collateral ligament in his left thumb, general manager Kevin O'Connor announced Monday. Millsap suffered the injury in Utah's 108-105 loss to the Lakers this past Friday in Game 6 of their Western Conference semifinal series, which eliminated the Jazz from the playoffs. (ABC 7 News, DC)
Moseley set to make Minor League outing May 16, 2008
Moseley began the season in the rotation, making five starts and then two relief appearances before developing stiffness in his arm that he traces to the ongoing recovery from offseason surgery on his right ulnar nerve. The discomfort around the elbow, Moseley said, was a case of the body naturally protecting the area of the surgery. (MLB.com -- Anaheim Angels)
Capuano headed for surgery May 14, 2008
on Wednesday to visit again with Dr. James Andrews, who performed Capuano's first Tommy John elbow reconstruction surgery in 2002 and advised this March against a second procedure when Capuano tore the tendon that had replaced his ulnar collateral ligament. Andrews believed Capuano could rehabilitate the injury without surgery and advised a program of strengthening and then throwing. (MLB.com -- Milwaukee Brewers)
Surgery looms for Phillies' Mathieson May 11, 2008
His first setback occurred in September and required an ulnar nerve transposition, a less-invasive procedure meant to get him back ... though there's a good chance Mathieson will need another ulnar collateral ligament reconstruction. (MLB.com -- Philadelphia Phillies)
Neshek likely to miss rest of season May 10, 2008
The ulnar collateral ligament is the same one that is replaced in Tommy John surgery, but it's unclear yet if Pat Neshek will need that operation ... MINNEAPOLIS -- Twins right-hander Pat Neshek will likely miss the rest of the 2008 season after an MRI exam on Friday revealed an acute partial tear of the ulnar collateral ligament in his right elbow ... The ulnar collateral ligament is the same one that is replaced in Tommy John elbow ligament replacement surgery. (MLB.com -- Minnesota Twins)
Neshek has tear May 10, 2008
The placed their right-handed setup man on the 15-day disabled list Friday, after an MRI test revealed an acute partial tear of the ulnar collateral ligament in the sidearmer's elbow ... The ulnar collateral ligament is the same ligament that pitchers have repaired when they undergo Tommy John replacement surgery. (SportsIllustrated.CNN -- MLB)
Padres call up Estes from Triple-A Portland May 9, 2008
Estes takes the place of right-hander Kevin Cameron, who suffered a first-degree sprain of the ulnar collateral ligament in his right elbow on Tuesday against the Braves. Estes will pitch in long relief for the Padres, though he could eventually work into a start in the rotation when the No. 5 starter spot -- filled Thursday by left-hander Wil Ledezma -- comes up again on Tuesday in Chicago. (MLB.com -- San Diego Padres)
Peavy tasked with ending skid in opener May 9, 2008
Tidbits The Padres placed reliever Kevin Cameron on the 15-day disabled list on Thursday with a sprained ulnar collateral ligament in his right elbow. What's not known is how much time Cameron will miss. (MLB.com -- San Diego Padres)
News appears poor for Phils' Mathieson May 6, 2008
He had an ulnar nerve transposition on his right arm in Sept. 2007, and was behind in Spring Training as a result. is a reporter for MLB.com. (MLB.com -- Philadelphia Phillies)
Angels' Moseley to rest elbow while on DL May 6, 2008
KANSAS CITY -- In what he believes is a natural reaction to offseason surgery on his right ulnar nerve, Dustin Moseley has been experiencing some discomfort in the area of the elbow. Placed on the 15-day disabled list on Sunday, Moseley will use the time to let the elbow calm down, he said, before returning to his middle relief role in the wake of five April starts. (MLB.com -- Anaheim Angels)
Are pitchers doomed to injury? May 4, 2008
As a result, they rupture their Ulnar Collateral Ligament. I call this, Reverse Pitching Forearm Bounce. (Atlanta Journal-Constitution -- Sports)
Padres need Peavy to be on point May 3, 2008
It will be the first time he has thrown since spraining the ulnar collateral ligament in his right elbow on April 7. He's been on the disabled list ever since and is likely three or so weeks away from being activated. (MLB.com -- San Diego Padres)
Padres hope Young can stop recent skid May 2, 2008
Surgery has not been ruled out for his sprained ulnar collateral ligament. O 00002393 utfielder Jody Gerut hit two home runs for Triple-A Portland on Monday. (MLB.com -- San Diego Padres)
Gonzalez determined to rejoin Braves May 2, 2008
He underwent three MRIs before a specialist in New York found the tear in his ulnar collateral ligament. His father, mother and two sisters had flown from their home near Houston to Atlanta to meet Gonzalez when he got back from New York. (Atlanta Journal-Constitution -- Sports)
Rangers' Jennings headed to DL May 2, 2008
The initial diagnosis was an irritated ulnar nerve, but a follow-up exam Wednesday by team physician Keith Meister revised that to a case of forearm muscle soreness, according to Rangers general manager Jon Daniels. The good news is there is no new injury to Jennings' ulnar nerve or elbow ligaments, or a recurrence of the torn flexor tendon that caused him to have season-ending surgery last Aug. 30 while with the Astros. (MLB.com -- Texas Rangers)
Rangers' rotation takes another hit May 2, 2008
Rangers orthopedist Dr. Keith Meister examined Jennings after the game, and the team announced an initial diagnosis of an irritated ulnar nerve. The pitcher will be reexamined Wednesday, but no MRI scan was planned. (MLB.com -- Texas Rangers)
Barrett continues to rehab right elbow Apr 23, 2008
" When Barrett suffered the injury, the MRI showed a sprained ulnar collateral ligament. The initial diagnosis was that he would miss anywhere from two weeks to two mo 00001BDA nths. The Padres will have a better idea this week, after he's looked at, as to how much longer his recovery might take. Barrett, who experienced numbness in his fingers as well as a tingling sensation the day he was injured, said most of that pain has subsided. "It comes and goes," he said. "I had some numbness and... (MLB.com -- San Diego Padres)
AJ Ramos To Miss Remainder Of 2008 Season Apr 23, 2008
LUBBOCK, Texas - Texas Tech junior right-hander was diagnosed with a partially torn UCL (ulnar collateral ligament) in his right elbow today and will miss the remainder of the 2008 season. Ramos has been the steady hand for the Red Raider pitching staff over the last two seasons but had struggled to a 1-4 record this year and a 7. (Texastech.com)
Moylan will likely need elbow surgery Apr 18, 2008
The Braves' top setup man was examined Wednesday by Dr. James Andrews, who concurred with an earlier diagnosis by a team doctor: There's a bone spur pressing against the ulnar collateral ligament in Moylan's pitching elbow, which has "compromised" the ligament. RELATED STORIES. (Atlanta Journal-Constitution -- Sports)
This. Trip. Must. End. Apr 18, 2008
The Braves top setup man was examined Wednesday, who confirmed the diagnosis made earlier by Braves doctors: Moylan has a bone spur pressing against the ulnar collateral ligament, which has compromised the UCL.. He will continue treatment for two weeks before hes reevaluated to determine if UCL reconstruction is necessary. (Atlanta Journal-Constitution -- Sports)
LaRoche tests thumb at Dodger Stadium Apr 15, 2008
350 with a home run in 20 spring at-bats when he got hit on the hand by a thrown ball, tearing the ulnar collateral ligament in his right thumb. As for the Dodgers' plans, LaRoche might be happy to hear that they are very much in line with his wishes. (MLB.com -- Los Angeles Dodgers)
Overuse a big source of injuries Apr 15, 2008
"I know from talking with colleagues that there's been a dramatic increase in the number of surgical interventions on young pitchers. Every year more young athletes undergo ulnar collateral ligament surgery or Tommy John surgery as it's more widely known," noted Dr. Ramappa. (UCL surgery involves replacing the ligament with a tendon taken from elsewhere in the body, usually the forearm). (MLB.com -- Boston Red Sox)
Pads search for help at catcher Apr 10, 2008
Barrett's MRI exam yesterday revealed 1 millimeter of laxity in the ulnar collateral ligament, Towers said. Had the ligament been stretched 1. (San Diego Union-Tribune)
