JT Brubaker Discusses Tommy John Surgery (+)
The Pittsburgh Pirates will be without right-handed pitcher JT Brubaker for all of this season and a good chunk of 2024 after the 29-year-old underwent Tommy John surgery earlier this month.
Brubaker was expected to be a big part of the Pirates’ starting rotation this season but began the year on the 15-day injured list before being transferred to the 60-day IL not long after.
Brubaker suffered his injury in spring training. After getting the results of the initial test and an eventual second opinion, he and the Pirates opted for the surgery.
“Original imaging showed something – that was the whole reason to go get the second opinion and do all that. Once the actual decision of surgery was made, it was one of those things where it was like, ok, the MRI didn’t show the full picture and that’s not always the case at times but this time it didn’t show the full picture and it was the base case to go ahead and do the surgery,” said Brubaker.
The timing is unfortunate for Brubaker, who looked like he was primed for a potential breakout season this year with Pittsburgh.
In spring training, Brubaker led the team with 26 strikeouts in only 17.1 innings. At the same time, Brubaker walked only three batters and limited opposing batters to a .239 average against.
“The stuff that I did in spring and everything, I think I’ve engraved that into my mind enough to where it’s like when I do start throwing, or off the mound, that type of attack and mentality that I was carrying in spring and in the games will still be there,” Brubaker said.
Throwing again is still a ways away for the right-handed starter, but Brubaker’s rehab, in a way, has already started. While the physical rehab is yet to come, there’s always the mental aspect of overcoming a serious surgery such as Tommy John.
Brubaker is still engaged with his team even though he isn’t there in the same capacity as before.
“Just texting the guys, ‘hey keep shoving, keep throwing the ball.’ We’re nine in a row (of starters going at least) six innings, so I mean, they’re doing the right things. They’re going out there they’re dominating, they’re attacking hitters and right now it’s just texting them, ‘hey, keep doing you, you’re looking great.’ More of a morale, pat on the back, just trying to be like I would be there in the dugout.”
On the bright side for Brubaker has he recovers, he does have some familiarity with working back from elbow injuries.
Not only have ex-teammates such as Jameson Taillon and Chad Kuhl had the same surgery in the past, but Brubaker himself was somewhat close to getting Tommy John back in 2019.
Instead, Brubaker received a PRP injection and the procedure allowed him to be a mainstay in the Pirates’ rotation each of the last three seasons.
“I didn’t have the surgery but you still have to allow the ligament that was damaged to heal and go through the buildup of throwing.
“It’s hard to say if I had surgery back in 19, would I be where I am today? It’s a question that can’t really be answered. I’m extremely grateful that the PRP worked because I am where I am today. I had gotten three years of experience in the big leagues and it’s helped me to become the pitcher that I am and it helps me to learn to continue to be a better pitcher than what I currently am.”
Brubaker is expected to be sidelined for 14-16 months, putting a possible return in mid-to-late summer next year.