Chris Sale has finally succumbed to the pain and multiple examinations and will undergo Tommy John Surgery (TJ). The recover time is in the range of 12-18 months so Sale will miss the 2020 season if we even have a 2020 season. A lost season could be good news for Sale and especially the Red Sox whose contract with Sale may be significantly altered with the COVID-19 interruption.
Recovery is just one aspect of TJ with the other far more important being quality of performance returns. There are extensive lists that document failure and success with the most notable success being Tommy John himself.