FILE - New York Yankees Tommy John pitches during a game against the Kansas City Royals at Yankee Stadium in New York, Aug. 8, 1986. Almost 50 years ago, on Sept. 25, 1974, Dr. Frank Jobe reconstructed a torn ulnar collateral ligament in John's left arm. It was a pioneering achievement for Jobe and a lifeline for John, who went from a career-ending injury to 14 more years in the majors — and an eponymous connection to sports medicine that would live on long past his playing days. Tommy John surgery.(AP Photo/Ron Frehm, File)
FILE - Los Angeles Dodgers left-hander Tommy John delivers a pitch against Atlanta Braves during an opening day baseball game at Dodgers Stadium in Los Angeles, April 14, 1978. Almost 50 years ago, on Sept. 25, 1974, Dr. Frank Jobe reconstructed a torn ulnar collateral ligament in John's left arm. It was a pioneering achievement for Jobe and a lifeline for John, who went from a career-ending injury to 14 more years in the majors — and an eponymous connection to sports medicine that would live on long past his playing days. Tommy John surgery.(AP Photo/LM, File)
FILE - Dr. Frank Jobe, right, known for the development of the historic elbow procedure known as "Tommy John Surgery," speaks as he and Tommy John, left, are honored during a ceremony at Doubleday Field at the National Baseball Hall of Fame in Cooperstown, N.Y. , July 27, 2013. . (AP Photo/Mike Groll, File)
FILE - Houston Astros' Justin Verlander responds to questions during a news interview before a baseball game against the New York Yankees Thursday, Aug. 3, 2023, in New York. There is a bridge that runs from Tommy John and Dr. Frank Jobe in 1974, all the way to Shohei Ohtani, Justin Verlander and Bryce Harper. Verlander won the AL Cy Young Award in 2022, two years after he had Tommy John surgery.(AP Photo/Frank Franklin II, File)
FILE - Philadelphia Phillies baseball baseball player Bryce Harper poses Thursday, Feb. 22, 2024, in Clearwater, Fla. There is a bridge that runs from Tommy John and Dr. Frank Jobe in 1974, all the way to Shohei Ohtani, Justin Verlander and Bryce Harper. A thread that connects an increasing number of baseball's biggest stars. Mostly on the mound, but at the plate, too. (AP Photo/Charlie Neibergall, File)
FILE - Los Angeles Dodgers pitcher Tommy John yells as he charges off the mound after the final out in 4-1 victory over the Philadelphia Phillies to win the National League playoffs in Philadelphia, Oct. 8, 1977. Almost 50 years ago, on Sept. 25, 1974, Dr. Frank Jobe reconstructed a torn ulnar collateral ligament in John's left arm. It was a pioneering achievement for Jobe and a lifeline for John, who went from a career-ending injury to 14 more years in the majors — and an eponymous connection to sports medicine that would live on long past his playing days. Tommy John surgery.(AP Photo/File)
FILE - Houston Astros pitcher Justin Verlander (35) warms up as head athletic trainer Jeremiah Randall observes during spring training baseball workouts, Thursday, Feb. 15, 2024, in West Palm Beach, Fla. There is a bridge that runs from Tommy John and Dr. Frank Jobe in 1974, all the way to Shohei Ohtani, Justin Verlander and Bryce Harper. (Karen Warren/Houston Chronicle via AP, File)
FILE - Tommy John of the Los Angeles Dodgers follows through on a pitch on his way to a 3-2 victory over the New York Mets at Shea Stadium in New York on Friday, June 15, 1974. There is a bridge that runs from Tommy John and Dr. Frank Jobe in 1974, all the way to Shohei Ohtani, Justin Verlander and Bryce Harper. A thread that connects an increasing number of baseball's biggest stars. Mostly on the mound, but at the plate, too. An operation that changed everything. (AP Photo/Ray Stubblebine, File)
FILE - Los Angeles Dodgers designated hitter Shohei Ohtani stands on third base during the first inning of a spring training baseball game against the Colorado Rockies in Phoenix, Sunday, March 3, 2024. Ohtani received a record-breaking $700 million contract from the Dodgers within months of his second major elbow operation.(AP Photo/Ashley Landis, File)
FILE - Former Los Angeles Dodgers pitcher Tommy John praises his late friend, Dr. Frank Jobe, during a memorial service at Dodger Stadium in Los Angeles, April 7, 2014. Almost 50 years ago, on Sept. 25, 1974, Dr. Frank Jobe reconstructed a torn ulnar collateral ligament in John's left arm. It was a pioneering achievement for Jobe and a lifeline for John, who went from a career-ending injury to 14 more years in the majors — and an eponymous connection to sports medicine that would live on long past his playing days. Tommy John surgery. (AP Photo/Damian Dovarganes, File)