Tommy John surgery: Who's had it?

Unless you're a baseball pitcher, you probably don't give much thought to your ulnar collateral (elbow) ligaments. But collegiate and professional pitchers (and some golfers) do - because they know a torn ullnar collateral can be a career-ending injury.

In fact, the injury did end many careers until surgeons devised a technique to repair the tear using tendons taken from elsewhere in the patient's body.

The procedure is known as Tommy John surgery, after left-handed pitcher Tommy John - who in 1974 became the first professional athlete to successfully undergo it. Most recently, Boston Red Sox starting pitcher John Lackey is scheduled to have the surgery and will likely miss all of the 2012 baseball season.

Who else has gone under the knife? Keep clicking for the list compiled with the help of SportingNews.com...

A.J. Burnett

The 33-year-old Yankee starter underwent Tommy John surgery in 2003. He was playing for the Florida Marlins at the time and was sidelined during their World Series run.

Chris Carpenter

Just two years after winning the Cy Young trophy for his blazing pitching, the St. Louis Cardinals stalwart had Tommy John surgery in 2007. The long recovery put him out until the middle of 2008.

Francisco Liriano

Francisco Liriano, who throws left-handed for the Minnesota Twins, missed the entire 2007 season after having Tommy John surgery in late 2006. He struggled initially after returning to the mound, but has come back strong this season. In May, he was named American League pitcher of the month for April.

John Smoltz

John Smoltz became a reliever after undergoing Tommy John surgery in 2001. He notched 154 saves after his return to the mound. The right-handed pitcher retired in 2009 after more than two decades with the Atlanta Braves.

John Johnson

Josh Johnson may have played in the 2010 All-Star Game, but late in 2007 the right-hander was sidelined with Tommy John surgery. According to Sports Illustrated, the Florida Marlins pitcher came back with more power than before the operation.

Kerry Wood

Kerry Wood started his major league career in 1998 for the Chicago Cubs. Just one year later, he was on the operating table with Tommy John surgery. It was the start of a successful but injury filled career. He is currently on the roster of the New York Yankees.

Ryan Dempster

The veteran right-hander who currently plays for the Chicago Cubs underwent the procedure in 2003 while with the Cincinnati Reds. He bounced back fast. Next year, he was hurling for the Cubs.

Tim Hudson

It was 2008 when Tim Hudson, the 35-year-old right hander from Georgia, underwent Tommy John surgery. He was out a little more than a year before he could return to the Atlanta Braves line up.

Jamie Moyer

Jamie Moyer last pitched in the big leagues in July 2010, when the left-hander - who also happened to be the oldest pitcher in baseball at 47 - injured himself while pitching for the Philadelphia Phillies.

After sitting out the entire 2011 season, Moyer still hopes to return to the mound in 2012 at 49 years old, CBS Sports reported.

Adam Wainwright

Adam Wainwright, a perennial Cy Young contender with the St. Louis Cardinals, sat out the entire 2011 season after feeling elbow discomfort during spring training.

Daisuke Matsuzaka

The right-handed Japanese Import, Matsuzaka, underwent Tommy John surgery in June 2010. The 31-year-old is expected to miss half of the 2012 season.

John Lackey

John Lackey of the Boston Red Sox underwent Tommy John elbow surgery in 2012.