Mario Hollands dazzled the Phillies and their fans last Spring Training with a 95-miles-per-hour fastball that had tons of movement. By season's end, Hollands' fastball had become a little flat and he was not the dominant pitcher he was in his early going. What happened? What appeared to be an elbow strain apparently was something else.
Jim Salisbury reports that the Phillies announced that Hollands had "Tommy John" surgery:
Mario Hollands had TOmmy John surgery, Phillies announce
— Jim Salisbury (@JSalisburyCSN) April 8, 2015
The move is a surprise, because Hollands had previously reported to have a flexor tendon tear.
"Tommy John" surgery, named for former Yankees pitcher Tommy John, involves the ulnar collateral ligament, a different part of the elbow than the flexor tendon. Someone who undergoes "Tommy John" surgery has a tendon transplanted into the elbow from a different part of the body, most usually the leg.
"Tommy John" surgery often requires over a year's worth of recovery. So, Phillies fans can forget about Hollands pitching in 2015 and likely the early part of 2016. While the Phillies are rebuilding, the move will give the Phillies time to give other arms an audition.
The "Tommy John" surgery is something that Phillies players have largely avoided. Former Phillies closer Ryan Madson had the surgery, but only after he signed with the Cincinnati Reds. Pitcher Jamie Moyer had the surgery in December, 2010 after his Phillies contract expired and made a brief comeback attempt with the Colorado Rockies in 2012. A.J. Burnett had the surgery prior to his time with the Phillies.
