The 2020 and 2021 seasons are officially over for 37-year-old / two-time Cy Young award winner Justin Verlander.

So, too, might be his 16-year MLB career.

It was widely reported on Saturday that the Manakin Sabot, VA native, and husband of supermodel and actress Kate Upton, will undergo ulnar collateral ligament (Tommy John) reconstruction surgery on his right elbow.

The former first-round (second overall) draft pick by the Detroit Tigers in 2004 out of Old Dominion University in Norfolk, VA made the announcement himself on social media (Instagram), on which he said:

“I was hopeful that I would be able to return to competition in 2020. However, during my simulated game, unfortunately, the injury worsened. Obviously, I’m extremely disappointed, but I will not let this slow down my aspirations for my career. I will approach this rehab the only way I know, attack and don’t look back.”

“I’m confident that with a proper rehabilitation program and my unwavering commitment that this surgery will ultimately lengthen my career as opposed to shorten it. I can’t thank my teammates, coaches, the front office and my fans enough for the support they have given me so far in this process. I’m eager to get through this recovery and back on the field to continue to do what I love.”

Verlander felt tenderness in his arm following his Opening Day start for Houston against the Seattle Mariners on July 24. Two days later, it was announced that he would be out indefinitely for “a forearm strain.”

The 26-26 AL West second-place Astros were hoping that following a simulated game this past Wednesday, Verlander would start on Monday, September 21, against those same Mariners in Seattle. But during that sim game at Minute Maid Park, Verlander ‘felt something’ in his elbow and was immediately shut down and underwent an MRI the following day.

“After looking at the MRI and conversing with some of the best doctors in the world, we determined Tommy John surgery is my best option,” the eight-time All-Star and two-time Cy Young award winner said. “Obviously, this is not good news. However, I’m going to handle this the only way I know-how. I’m going to put my head down, work hard, attack this rehab and hopefully come out the other side better for it.”

If Verlander can return to the mound following surgery and a typical 12 to 14-month recovery and rehab, he will be 39 years old. The 2021 season is also the final season of his current two-year / $66 million contract extension, which he signed on March 24, 2019.

No team is exempt from UCL injuries, not even the NL West first-place Dodgers.

This past week, 24-year-old Dodgers left-handed reliever Caleb Ferguson was diagnosed with a torn UCL and is expected to undergo Tommy John surgery as early as this coming week. He will also most likely be unavailable until 2021 as well. But unlike Verlander, this will be Ferguson’s second Tommy John surgery. He underwent the procedure during his senior year at West Jefferson High School in West Jefferson, OH, where he was a starting pitcher. But despite this, the Dodgers rolled the dice and selected Ferguson in the 38th round of the 2014 draft.

With a 2.89 ERA, 27 strikeouts, and only three walks in 18.2 innings this season, Ferguson has been one of the more fine-tuned pitchers in a productive Dodger bullpen.

“He’s a big part of what we’re doing and what we are planning on doing going forward,” Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said before Thursday’s game against the Colorado Rockies. “I just feel terrible for him.”

In Ferguson’s absence, there are still some reliable left-handed pitchers that can take the mound. Thirty-four-year-old Jake McGee is available, as is 31-year-old Adam Kolarek. Both have shown excellent command on the mound and are alternatives while Ferguson is out for surgery and rehab.

Both Tommy John victims play an essential part in their team’s starting rotation and bullpen, respectively, and many are hoping that both will return to action. But truth be told, the chances of a pitcher coming back from a second Tommy John surgery and returning to form falls somewhere between slim to none; and for a pitcher who will be 40 after his rehab, even slimmer – if at all.

The Astros may have been untouchable by Rob Manfred, but not so Tommy John.

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