Tommy John Surgery, Youth Pitching Injuries & the Mental Side of UCL Rehab | Frank Alexander, MS, ATC

Youth baseball injuries are rising — and Tommy John surgery is no longer just a Major League problem. In this episode, we sit down with Dr. Frank Alexander, longtime collaborator of Dr. Christopher Ahmad, head team physician for the New York Yankees, to break down the real state of UCL injuries in baseball — from Little League to the Major Leagues. We cover: Why UCL injuries and Tommy John surgeries are skyrocketing in youth pitchers The mental and psychological toll of elbow injuries (including PTSD-like symptoms after surgery) Why velocity obsession, showcases, and TrackMan culture are hurting long-term development The difference between Tommy John surgery, UCL repair, and internal brace procedures How seasonal timing, career timing, and development windows should guide rehab decisions Why distance-based throwing and elbow torque matter more than radar gun numbers How parents, coaches, and athletes should approach rehab, showcases, and long-term health This conversation is essential for baseball parents, pitchers, coaches, athletic trainers, and sports medicine professionals who want to understand how injuries actually happen — and how to prevent career-ending mistakes. 🎧 Topics include: Tommy John surgery explained, youth baseball pitching injuries, UCL rehab timelines, sports psychology in baseball, velocity vs health, pitching development, and modern baseball sports medicine.