**Colorado Rockies' Antonio Senzatela to Undergo Tommy John Surgery** **Tommy John Surgery: An Overview** Tommy John surgery, also known as ulnar collateral ligament (UCL) reconstruction, is a surgical procedure performed to repair a torn UCL in the elbow. The UCL is a ligament that helps to stabilize the elbow joint and is essential for throwing a baseball. Tommy John surgery involves replacing the damaged UCL with a healthy tendon from another part of the body, typically the forearm or hamstring. The surgery is named after former Los Angeles Dodgers pitcher Tommy John, who underwent the procedure in 1974 and went on to pitch for another 14 seasons. **Senzatela's Injury** Colorado Rockies pitcher Antonio Senzatela was placed on the 15-day injured list on May 29, 2023, with a left elbow strain. An MRI revealed a torn UCL, and Senzatela was recommended to undergo Tommy John surgery. The surgery was performed on June 6, 2023, by Dr. James Andrews in Birmingham, Alabama. **Recovery and Outlook** The recovery from Tommy John surgery typically takes 12 to 18 months. Senzatela is expected to miss the remainder of the 2023 season and will likely not be ready to return to the mound until the 2025 season. The success rate of Tommy John surgery is high, with over 85% of pitchers returning to the mound after the procedure. However, there is no guarantee of success, and some pitchers may experience complications or setbacks during their recovery. **Impact on the Rockies** Senzatela's injury is a significant blow to the Rockies' pitching staff. The 27-year-old right-hander was one of the team's most consistent starters in 2022, posting a 4.04 ERA in 32 starts. The Rockies are hopeful that Senzatela will make a full recovery and return to his previous form in 2025.
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