Boston Red Sox pitcher Daisuke Matsuzaka underwent successful Tommy John ligament-transplant surgery on his damaged right elbow at a Los Angeles hospital on Friday.
Matsuzaka, who had a tendon from his right arm grafted to his elbow joint, left the hospital accompanied by his wife, Tomoyo, after the surgery performed by noted orthopedic surgeon Dr. Lewis Yocum.
The operation took about two hours to complete.
"The surgery was safely completed. I want to get to work with my rehab, making sure not to waste even a single day," Matsuzaka said through a translator.
Matsuzaka, who was administered general anesthesia for the reconstructive surgery, appeared at the hospital entrance in a wheelchair and was assisted into his vehicle.