The promising 22 years old rookie phenom, Stephen Strasburg, may need the often career jeopardizing ulnar collateral ligament reconstruction surgery, often referred to as Tommy John surgery. The rookie, who has been placed on the disabled list for the 2nd time this season, is going in for a second opinion today. All indications however point to the pitcher getting the surgery this season.

Strasburg who has been regarded as one of the games top young arms, throws over 100 miles per hour, and has lived up to expectations in the early going for the Washington Nationals. Nationals Manager, Mike Rizzo told the media that the surgery would end Strasburg’s season, saying, “It’s depressing in a sense, but I look at the brighter side,” Rizzo told Bloomberg News. “I look at Tommy John surgery as a surgery that we’ve had great success at. We’ve got a big, powerful, young 22-year-old right-handed pitcher with power stuff. The success rate for guys coming back from Tommy John and retaining that stuff is very good.”

Tommy John surgery got it’s name from Dodgers pitcher, Tommy John who in 1974 had the surgery done successfully. He went on to pitch until 1989 when he retired at age 46. The chances of a complete recovery from the surgery are about 86-93%. Several major league pitchers have successfully undergone the surgery recently, including, A. J. Burnett, Pat Hentgen, Jon Lieber, Billy Wagner, and Carl Pavano.