Member-only story
Will Tommy John Surgery End Justin Verlander’s Career?
The MLB ace will face physical challenges as well as age in attempting to successfully resume his career
Star Houston Astros’ pitcher Justin Verlander announced in an Instagram post that he will be undergoing Tommy John surgery. The right-handed ace is one of the toughest players in the game, but will the procedure mark the end of the 37-year-old’s career?
Verlander hasn’t pitched since winning the opening game of the 2020 season after which he reported arm discomfort. Two months later, after uncertainty about when he might return, he made headlines with news that he will undergo the significant surgical procedure:
During a wildly successful 16-year big-league career, Verlander has been one of the sturdiest pitchers in the game, having been on the disabled list just once before (2015). His 226–129 record, 3,013 strikeouts and 3.33 ERA has equated to two Cy Young awards and six other finishes in the top-five in voting.