Former All-Star Gives Insight on Rehabilitation Process
Last month, MLB pitcher Johan Oviedo joined the growing list of players who have undergone Tommy John surgery, a procedure to reconstruct the ulnar collateral ligament (UCL). In light of this, former big league pitcher Bronson Arroyo appeared on OutKick’s Hutton & Withrow show to provide valuable advice for players working their way back to the mound after this surgery.
Patience Is Key
Arroyo emphasized the importance of patience during the rehabilitation process, acknowledging that every player’s body responds differently. “I think just be patient because everybody’s body is so different,” said Arroyo. He mentioned that while some players may return to the field in as little as 10 months and feel good, others may face a longer and more arduous journey lasting over ten years.
Arroyo’s Personal Experience
In July 2014, Arroyo underwent an MRI that revealed a torn UCL. Despite the serious injury, the 2006 MLB All-Star attempted to continue pitching. He shared, “I wanted to see if I could pitch on it without the ligament because a few guys have done it.” Arroyo explained that most of the successful cases were bullpen pitchers, making it challenging for a starter like himself. After a few days of testing his arm, he realized that his recovery would not be fast enough to sustain regular pitching. Surgery became the only viable option.
Before the injury, Arroyo was known for his durability, consistently logging over 200 innings in eight of nine seasons leading up to 2014. The only exception occurred in 2011 when he fell short by just one inning due to valley fever and other health-related issues.
Fiery Encounters with Alex Rodriguez
During the interview, Arroyo also reminisced about his numerous in-game feuds with former New York Yankees star Alex Rodriguez. He mentioned the memorable July 24th fight between the Red Sox and Yankees at Fenway Park, comparing it to “Bobby Bonilla Day,” a day that garners attention whenever the Mets pay Bonilla his deferred salary. Arroyo receives text messages from all over the country whenever July 24th rolls around, as fans share memories of the altercation.
Interestingly, despite their on-field confrontations, Arroyo revealed that he never had a conversation with Rodriguez. Their interactions were limited to heated exchanges during games.
