Tommy John Surgery: 36-Year-Old’s 1413-Day Comeback
- NAGOYA, Japan – Junichi Dragons pitcher Show Iwasaki, 36, celebrated his first victory in 1,413 days on Tuesday, following a prolonged absence due to elbow surgery.
- Kyle Muller, the Dragons' starting pitcher, delivered a strong performance with nine strikeouts over five innings, conceding three hits, including one home run.
- Iwasaki entered the game in the seventh inning with the score tied 1-1.
Iwasaki Earns first Win in Nearly Four Years After Elbow Surgery

NAGOYA, Japan – Junichi Dragons pitcher Show Iwasaki, 36, celebrated his first victory in 1,413 days on Tuesday, following a prolonged absence due to elbow surgery. iwasaki secured the win against the Yomiuri Giants in Nagoya, pitching two innings and allowing two hits.
Game Summary
Kyle Muller, the Dragons’ starting pitcher, delivered a strong performance with nine strikeouts over five innings, conceding three hits, including one home run. Though, he did not factor into the decision. Saito Kouki pitched six innings in relief but also did not score.
Iwasaki entered the game in the seventh inning with the score tied 1-1. After allowing a lead-off single to kazuma Okamoto,followed by hits from Ellie Hernandez and Kai Takuya,Iwasaki managed to escape the inning unscathed,inducing a groundout from Nakayama light with runners on second and third.
The Dragons took a 2-1 lead in the bottom of the seventh. Orlando Calixte drove in another run in the eighth with an RBI single. Yomiuri managed a run in the top of the ninth, but Junichi held on for a 3-2 victory.

Iwasaki’s Journey Back
iwasaki, previously a seven-time save leader, was credited with the win. A veteran right-hander who debuted in 2008, iwasaki has a career record of 31 wins, 33 losses, 97 holds, and 11 saves over 322 games (616 innings). He recorded 40 holds for Softbank in 2017. After transferring to Junichi in 2022, elbow surgery sidelined him.
According to Japanese media outlet Sports Hochi, Iwasaki was emotional during the post-game interview. “I won the victory,” he said, reportedly with tears in his eyes.
Junichi Iwasaki stole tears from the interview stage. I won the victory.
Pitcher’s Perspective
“I was injured as soon as I transferred,” Iwasaki said. “I have not made any results as I returned. I want to help the team this year.”
After missing the 2022 season, Iwasaki appeared in 21 games (20 innings) last season, posting a 5.85 ERA. Despite being 36 years old and recovering from major surgery, Iwasaki showcased his fastball and 140 km/h forkball, reaching a top speed of 154 km/h against the Yomiuri lineup.
Iwasaki credited his surgeon for the successful return. “The doctor who had surgery so that the restraint did not fall off in many ways,” Iwasaki said. “I think it’s time to retire if the restraint doesn’t come out.”
Show iwasaki’s Comeback: A Q&A
who is Show Iwasaki?
Show Iwasaki is a veteran right-handed pitcher in Japanese professional baseball.He recently made headlines after securing his first win in nearly four years following elbow surgery. He debuted in 2008 and has had a lengthy career in the league.
What is the importance of Iwasaki’s recent win?
Iwasaki’s victory on Tuesday marks a major milestone, as it was his first win in 1,413 days. This win is especially noteworthy as it came after a prolonged absence caused by elbow surgery. This signifies a successful return from injury for the 36-year-old pitcher.
Against which team did Iwasaki earn the win?
Iwasaki secured the win against the Yomiuri Giants.
How did Iwasaki perform in the game against the Yomiuri Giants?
Iwasaki pitched two innings in the game, allowing two hits. He entered the game in the seventh inning with the score tied 1-1 and helped the team secure a 3-2 victory.
What was the overall game summary?
The game against the Yomiuri Giants saw a strong performance from the dragons’ starting pitcher, Kyle Muller, who recorded nine strikeouts over five innings. Iwasaki entered in the seventh inning. The Dragons took a 2-1 lead, and although the Giants scored in the ninth, the Dragons held on for the 3-2 win.
What kind of impact did elbow surgery have on Iwasaki’s career?
Iwasaki underwent elbow surgery, which sidelined him. After transferring to Junichi in 2022, the surgery prevented him from playing that season.
Could you summarize Iwasaki’s career stats?
Certainly! Here’s a summary of Iwasaki’s career statistics, based on the provided article:
Iwasaki’s career stats at the time of the article:
- Wins: 31
- Losses: 33
- Holds: 97
- Saves: 11
- Games Played: 322
- Innings pitched: 616
What was Iwasaki’s previous role before his injury?
Before his injury, Iwasaki was a seven-time save leader.
What did Iwasaki say after the game?
According to Japanese media outlet Sports Hochi,Iwasaki was emotional after the game. He reportedly said, “I won the victory,” with tears in his eyes.
He also mentioned, “I was injured as soon as I transferred. I have not made any results as I returned. I want to help the team this year.”
Can you provide a table summarizing key data about Iwasaki’s career?
Here’s a table summarizing key facts about Show Iwasaki,based on the information provided:
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Debut year | 2008 |
| Position | Pitcher (Right-Handed) |
| Career Wins | 31 |
| Career Losses | 33 |
| Holds | 97 |
| Saves | 11 |
| Games Played | 322 |
| Innings Pitched | 616 |
| 2022 Season | Sidelined by Elbow Surgery |
| Previous Role | Seven-time Save Leader |
What is Iwasaki’s outlook and viewpoint on his recovery and return?
Iwasaki expressed his desire to help the team. Additionally, he credited his surgeon for his successful return, highlighting the importance of the surgery for his comeback. He also indicated that if the “restraint doesn’t come out,” it might be time to consider retirement.
What was Iwasaki’s performance like after his return from elbow surgery?
After missing the 2022 season,iwasaki appeared in 21 games in the following season (20 innings),posting a 5.85 ERA. Despite his age and recovery, he showcased his fastball, reaching a top speed of 154 km/h against the Yomiuri lineup.
