New York Yankees pitcher Chase Whitley underwent Tommy John surgery to repair a torn ulnar collateral ligament. He elected to have the surgery after consulting with head team physician Christopher Ahmad, MD, who also performed the surgery at New York-Presbyterian Hospital in New York City, reports the Yankees.com.
Here are five key notes:
1. Mr. Whitley had pitched through some discomfort earlier this season, and told New York Post, "If you go on the DL or say something every time you're in pain, you probably won't ever pitch."
2. Dr. Ahmad recently co-authored a study where he and colleagues found that 46 percent of healthy baseball players age eight to 18 said they had been encouraged to continue playing through arm pain.
3. Mr. Whitley reportedly pitched well in the spring but began this season in the minor leagues. He had four major league starts this season.
4. Dr. Ahmad is a professor of orthopedic surgery at Columbia University in New York City as well as a vice chair of research with the department of orthopedic surgery.
5. Dr. Ahmad is also the head team physician for the professional soccer team New York City FC.