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With the increase of power arms in MLB, the rate of pitchers needing Tommy John surgery has skyrocketed. So many hurlers have required the surgery before even throwing their first pitch at the big league level. These 10 pitchers have been able to persevere and put together solid careers despite the procedure.
10. Joakim Soria, Kansas City Royals
Getty ImagesSoria's had Tommy John twice in his career, once in April 2003 and then again in March 2012. He's still managed to collect 203 saves and post a 2.62 ERA and 1.08 WHIP at only 32 years old.
9. Adam Wainwright, St. Louis Cardinals
Getty ImagesWainwright had Tommy John in 2011, but he still has a 125-70 career record to go along with a 3.08 ERA and 1.17 WHIP.
8. Edinson Volquez, Kansas City Royals
Getty ImagesVolquez had Tommy John in August 2009 and it took him until 2014 to finally rediscover his pre-surgery form. Over the last three seasons, Volquez hasn't posted an ERA higher than his current 3.67.
7. John Lackey, Chicago Cubs
Getty ImagesLackey had Tommy John in November 2011, and he's really become a better pitcher since the surgery. For his career, Lackey has 169 wins, a 3.90 ERA and 1.30 WHIP.
6. Danny Salazar, Cleveland Indians
Getty ImagesThe 26-year-old Salazar had Tommy John way back in 2010, but he's gone on to post a 3.48 ERA and 1.20 WHIP in 69 career starts. In 2016, those numbers are even better at 2.32 and 1.12, respectively.
5. Matt Harvey, New York Mets
Getty ImagesHarvey had Tommy John in October 2013 and, although he's struggled in 2016, the Mets' right-hander has a career 2.92 ERA and 1.08 WHIP.
4. Jordan Zimmermann, Detroit Tigers
Getty ImagesZimmermann had Tommy John way back in August 2009, only four months after making his MLB debut. He's gone on to post a 77-52 record, 3.27 ERA and 1.16 WHIP to this point in his career.
3. Jose Fernandez, Miami Marlins
Getty ImagesFernandez had Tommy John in May 2014, and he's already showing glimpses of returning to his pre-surgery form. For his career, Fernandez has a 29-11 record, 2.47 ERA and 1.04 WHIP in 57 starts.
2. Jacob deGrom, New York Mets
Getty ImagesJacob deGrom had Tommy John in October 2010 which delayed his major league debut until 2014. Since entering the majors, the Mets' right-hander has a 26-15 record with a 2.66 ERA, 1.07 WHIP and 379 strikeouts in 372.1 innings.
1. Stephen Strasburg, Washington Nationals
Getty ImagesStrasburg had Tommy John in August 2010. He's posted a 62-37 record with a 3.07 ERA, 1.09 WHIP and 987 strikeouts in 844.1 innings pitched to this point in his career.
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