Preventing Tommy John Surgery: The Identification of Trends in Pitch Selection, Velocity, and Spin Rate Before Ulnar Collateral Ligament Reconstruction in Major League Baseball Pitchers

Background: Ulnar collateral ligament (UCL) reconstruction is a common surgery among Major League Baseball (MLB) pitchers that results in a significant number of missed games. Little has been reported regarding game-by-game trends that can identify those on the verge of becoming injured. Purpose: To determine if there is a patterned change in MLB pitchers’ pitch selection, velocity, or spin rate in games leading up to Tommy John surgery that may predict subsequent UCL surgery. Study Design: Case series; Level of evidence, 4. Methods: A retrospective review of MLB pitchers who underwent primary UCL reconstruction between 2009 and 2019 was performed. Pitch characteristics were evaluated on a game-by-game basis for the 15 games leading up to surgery. A Mann-Kendall trend test was used to identify trends in pitch selection, velocity, and spin rate for multiple pitch types. A Kendall τb correlation coefficient was identified, with values closer to 1 or –1 signifying a stronger monotonic trend. Results: A total of 223 MLB pitchers underwent UCL reconstruction in the time period. In the 15 games leading up to surgery, decreases in pitch velocity for 4-seam fastballs (τb = –0.657; P < .001), 2-seam fastballs (τb = –0.429; P = .029), and sliders (τb = –0.524; P = .008) were significantly associated with game number closer to injury. There was a significant positive association in the spin rate for cutters (τb = 0.410; P = .038) and a significant negative association in spin rate for 4-seam fastballs over the course of these 15 games (τb = –0.581; P = .003). In addition, there was a significant positive association in the percentage of curveballs thrown (τb = 0.486; P = .013). Conclusion: The study results suggest that there is a patterned change in certain pitch statistics in MLB pitchers in the games leading up to Tommy John surgery. Although the absolute change from game to game may be small, it may be possible for these trends to be monitored before a player becomes injured, thus reducing the significant burden Tommy John surgery places on these athletes.

Major League Baseball Pitching Performance after Tommy John Surgery and the effect of Tear Characteristics, Technique, and Graft Type

Objectives: Return to play and player satisfaction has been quite high after ulnar collateral ligament reconstruction (UCLR), however, there has been little reported on how outcomes are affected by surgical technique, graft type and tear characteristics. The purpose was to evaluate surgical techniques, graft type and tear characteristics on MLB performance after UCLR. Methods: MLB pitchers that underwent primary UCLR at a single institution were included. Tear characteristics included tear location, tear grade and acuity. Surgical technique and graft type was also collected. Pitching performance statistics, including earned run average (ERA), Walks hits per innings pitched (WHIP), innings pitched, and fastball velocity were evaluated 3 years pre- and post-UCLR. Results: 46 MLB pitchers were identified having primary UCLR. Return to play was 96%, with 82% returning to MLB play. Technique performed showed no difference in performance. Pitchers with palmaris grafts were younger (p=0.043), played longer after surgery (p=0.007), and returned to play at 100% (35/35) vs. 82% (9/11) of gracilis grafts (p=0.011). Pitchers with distal tears pitched at higher velocity (93.0 vs. 90.6 mph)(p=0.023) and had better performance (ERA, p=0.003; WHIP, p=0.003) prior to surgery, with proximal tears improving to match this performance and velocity after reconstructionhigher . Pitchers with complete tears played longer after surgery (5.9 vs. 4.0 years)(p=0.033), had better ERA (p=0.041) prior to injury and better WHIP (p=0.037) and strikeouts/9 innings (p=0.025) after reconstruction vs. partial tears. Chronic tears had a significant improvement in ERA from 4.49 to 3.80 (p=0.040) postoperatively. Conclusion: Technique performed and graft type used did not affect performance, however, palmaris grafts returned at a higher rate than gracilis grafts. Distal tears occurred in pitchers with greater velocity and better performance prior to injury with proximal tears matching this performance after reconstruction. Pitchers with complete tears played longer after reconstruction. Pitchers who had partial tears had worse performance prior to injury and after reconstruction and chronic tears saw a significant improvement in ERA with reconstruction.