{
  "id": 4901754,
  "title": "This tool helped Erik Tolman become a flame-throwing big leaguer",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/01/this-tool-helped-erik-tolman-become-a-flame-throwing-big-leaguer",
  "topic": "culture",
  "section": "Culture",
  "published": "2026-09-01T17:15:00.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Yahoo Sports",
    "slug": "yahoo-sports",
    "url": "https://sports.yahoo.com/articles/tool-helped-erik-tolman-become-171500963.html"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Erik Tolman, a reliever for the Washington Nationals, recently became a big leaguer after recovering from a severe leg injury that included a second Tommy John Surgery. At 27 years old, Tolman is throwing harder than ever before, and his mechanics have improved significantly during his rehabilitation process.\n\nAfter suffering a catastrophic injury that almost resulted in amputation, Tolman was told he might never walk normally again. However, his determination and a brace he wears on his foot helped him regain his ability to walk. This same brace, known as an ankle-foot orthosis (AFO), has also played a crucial role in his return to Major League Baseball (MLB).\n\nTolman's AFO, which he first learned about through his own experience with a similar injury, helps him maintain balance and control while pitching. Despite the inconvenience of wearing the brace, Tolman maintains that it does not impact his pitching mechanics at all. In fact, his time away from the game and the rehab process actually improved his mechanics.\n\nTolman's story is one of perseverance and determination. After contemplating retirement following a second Tommy John Surgery and then dealing with a severe leg injury that left him unable to walk, he made a full commitment to come back to baseball. His comeback journey included visiting the Hanger Clinic multiple times to find the perfect AFO that suited his needs.\n\nWith his new AFO, improved mechanics, and exceptional pitching skills, Erik Tolman is now dominating on the big league mound.",
  "summary": "Erik Tolman and I both wear AFO’s. His helped him overcome the odds and become a lockdown reliever for the Nationals",
  "key_points": [
    "Erik Tolman returns to MLB after severe leg injury and second Tommy John Surgery",
    "Ankle-foot orthosis (AFO) brace aids his pitching mechanics and balance",
    "Tolman's determination and AFO contributed to his successful comeback"
  ],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}