Detroit Tigers’ pitcher Michael Fulmer recently learned he had to undergo Tommy John’s surgery. This is a devastating injury that can sideline many great baseball players.
One person who knows about Tommy John’s is St. Bonaventure pitcher Benjamin Contento.
Ulnar collateral ligament (UCL) reconstruction, better known as Tommy John’s surgery, is when one of the ulnar collateral ligaments, which are connected to the elbow, becomes stretched, frayed, or torn through the repetitive stress of the throwing motion.
Ben was in as relief in a game back in 2016. He threw 119 pitches in the game that he went in as relief pitcher.
“On the 118 pitch I felt a like a pull or a pop in my elbow,” Ben said remembering how he hurt his elbow, “then on the 119t pitch the game was over so I iced it.”
Ben did not realize until later that he had damaged his UCL. He had Tommy John’s surgery on December 22 of that year. This injury not only sidelined him from baseball but effected his life outside of athletics.
“It changed my schedule around pretty extensively.”
Ben had to go through rehab an hour and a half a day. The rehab consisted of mobility training to get his range of motion back. He also had to go through strength training for his forearm, in the attempt to strengthen his muscles around his UCL. Ben stayed on campus over the summer to continue rehab and get his internship hours done.
“It was about 13 to 14 months because I ended up throwing down in Florida in late February.”
Ben has gotten back to starting shape, although he feels his past injury effects his play.
“It hasn’t felt the same yet, your body is just a little more sore than usual.”
Ben makes sure to that his arm feels good to throw between starts. His injury has certainly not affected his play ability.
In a game on March 11 of 2018 Ben throw 11 strike outs in a game against James Madison University, not only securing the win for his team but also winning A10 player of the week.
Standing on Third 