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Panama City Today
By the People, for the People
Youth Baseball Sees Surge in Tommy John Surgeries
Doctors warn of growing injury risk for young pitchers
Apr. 19, 2026 at 10:55pm
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The rise in Tommy John surgeries among young baseball players points to a growing public health crisis that requires better oversight and injury prevention measures in youth sports.Panama City TodayA troubling trend is emerging in youth baseball, with a significant rise in the number of young athletes requiring Tommy John surgery, a complex elbow procedure that repairs torn ligaments. Experts say the increase in these serious injuries among youth pitchers is a growing public health concern.
Why it matters
Tommy John surgery is a complex and costly procedure that can sideline young athletes for over a year, disrupting their development and potentially ending their baseball careers. The rise in these injuries points to larger issues around overuse, improper training, and a lack of oversight in youth sports that need to be addressed.
The details
Tommy John surgery, named after the MLB pitcher who underwent the first successful procedure in 1974, involves reconstructing the ulnar collateral ligament in the elbow using a tendon graft. The surgery has become increasingly common among young baseball players, especially pitchers, as they push their arms to the limit at earlier ages.
- In the past decade, the number of Tommy John surgeries performed on youth athletes under 18 has increased by over 50%.
- Doctors say they are seeing more and more young pitchers, some as young as 12 or 13, requiring the surgery.
The players
Dr. James Andrews
A renowned orthopedic surgeon who has performed thousands of Tommy John procedures and has been sounding the alarm on the rise of these injuries in youth sports.
Little League Baseball
The governing body for youth baseball that has implemented pitch count limits and other safety measures, but experts say more needs to be done to protect young pitchers.
What they’re saying
“We're seeing these injuries in kids who are just starting to play competitive baseball. Their arms aren't developed enough to handle the stress of pitching at a high level.”
— Dr. James Andrews, Orthopedic Surgeon
“The rise in Tommy John surgeries among youth athletes is a public health crisis that needs to be addressed through better coaching, training, and oversight of youth sports programs.”
— Dr. Selene Parekh, Sports Medicine Specialist
What’s next
Little League Baseball is expected to convene a special task force to review its pitch count rules and other safety protocols in the coming months, with the goal of implementing new guidelines by the start of the 2027 season.
The takeaway
The surge in Tommy John surgeries among young baseball players highlights the need for a comprehensive approach to injury prevention in youth sports, including better coaching, improved training regimens, and stricter oversight to protect the long-term health and development of young athletes.
