Nats Journal

Sykora searches for silver lining in long rehab following pair of surgeries

After hip surgery in 2024 and Tommy John surgery in 2025, top prospect Travis Sykora plans to spend 2026 getting his body right once and for all

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Mark Zuckerman
Mar 11, 2026
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Photo by Saúl Martinez / NATS JOURNAL

Almost everyone who has been through the ordeal has a horror story about throwing a baseball for the first time after Tommy John surgery. There’s trepidation. Fear the elbow ligament will snap again. An uneasiness about a mundane act that’s never been present before.

Ask 10 pitchers who had the surgery, and half of th…

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