After 50 years, Tommy John surgery is evolving to increase success and sometimes speed return

Tommy John surgery, like baseball itself, is evolving to increase success and sometimes speed return. Dr. Jeffrey R. Dugas developed a procedure that cut recovery time to as little as nine months for some pitchers with torn elbow ligaments. He envisions more innovations within five-to-seven years. TJ surgery has saved careers and earned fortunes. Los Angeles Dodgers head team physician Dr. Neal ElAttrache estimates 80% of pitchers return to their prior performance level. Texas Rangers team physician Dr. Keith Meister combined traditional TJ ligament replacement with Dugas' internal brace, what is known as a hybrid procedure.