What happened: USA Today published a retrospective on pitching careers extended by Tommy John surgery, days after the death of the Dodgers pitcher whose name the operation carries. John died at 83 on Aug. 16, 2026.

Why it matters: The piece arrives amid tributes across baseball to John, whose 1974 elbow ligament reconstruction became the standard procedure for pitchers with torn UCLs. His death has renewed attention on how widely the surgery reshaped pitching careers league-wide.

What to watch: Expect continued remembrances from clubs and players as MLB honors John's legacy in the coming days.