re: 57% of Tommy John surgeries in USA performed on 15-19 year olds .

quote:

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That 16 percent of pitchers from the US had undergone Tommy John surgery – as had 16 percent of pitchers from the Dominican, and 16 percent from all Latin American countries. “We saw no difference,” Conte said. “At the end of the day, when you look at who has had Tommy John surgeries, country doesn’t seem to have a significant importance. “Whether they come from the Dominican or the United States, it looks like they’re all kind of getting it at some point – overall, major and minor leagues, about 16 percent.”

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I wonder if in the DR and such countries, that if some kid tears their ucl that they might be just discarded and never have surgery. It doesn’t seem that many would be able to afford the surgery let alone have insurance.