Canaan Clayton

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Baseball Was Always Home

My name is Canaan Clayton, and I'm from New Orleans, Louisiana. Growing up, sports were a huge part of my life. I played just about everything I could. I played flag football, basketball, and even raced go-karts. For a while, I was actually the second-fastest youth go-kart racer in the Southeast.

As much fun as all of that was, baseball was always the sport I loved most.

I started playing when I was five years old, and from then on, it was hard to imagine doing anything else. I spent countless hours on baseball fields growing up, and as I got older, I realized I wanted to see how far the game could take me.

I played several positions when I was younger. I caught for a while and spent plenty of time at first base, but after I hit a growth spurt and got to about 6-foot-6, pitching became the obvious fit.

As I like to say,

"I always just kind of shined in pitching. High school was big-time first base and pitching."

By the time I reached Jesuit High School, I knew baseball wasn't just my favorite sport anymore. It had become my passion, and I wanted to play at the highest level I possibly could.

Looking back, I never imagined how many obstacles would stand between me and that goal.

Learning About Adversity Early

Most people think my injury story started in college. It actually started years before that.

When I was in middle school, I suffered a serious football injury that changed everything. I dislocated and fractured my throwing arm while playing defensive end, and it led to three surgeries before I was even in high school.

"In middle school, I had three really bad surgeries from football... on my throwing arm. I had a dislocation and a fracture."

At that age, it was hard to understand why something like that was happening. While most kids were just worried about playing sports, I was learning what surgery and rehabilitation looked like. It wasn't easy, but I never thought about quitting.

I just wanted to get healthy and get back on the baseball field.

Those early injuries taught me a lot about patience and perseverance. They also showed me that recovery isn't something you can rush. You have to trust the process, put in the work every day, and believe you'll get another opportunity.

Eventually, I made it back on the field, continued to develop as a pitcher, and earned the chance to play college baseball. At the time, it felt like all those difficult years were finally behind me.

Everything Was Falling Into Place

I started my college career at the University of New Orleans, now LSU New Orleans, and my freshman year went about as well as I could've hoped.

I pitched well, earned the trust of my coaches, and put myself in position to compete for a starting job the following season.

"I had a fantastic freshman season. Was projected to be a starter my sophomore year, which was pretty cool for me because it was such an older team at the time."

That meant a lot to me.

Anytime you're one of the younger players on a veteran team and the coaches believe you're ready to take on a bigger role, it's something you don't take for granted.

For the first time in a long time, everything felt like it was moving in the right direction.

I was excited about what was ahead.

Unfortunately, my sophomore year didn't go the way I expected.

One Setback After Another

The first setback came during fall workouts. I developed rhabdomyolysis after becoming severely dehydrated. My body had lost so much water that my muscles locked up and cramped for several days.

"Sophomore year in the fall, I got rhabdomyolysis, which is basically I lost so much water from my body that my muscles locked up and cramped for like three days straight."

Thankfully, I recovered and got back to preparing for the season. I thought that would be the biggest obstacle I'd have to overcome that year. Then, during Christmas break, everything changed. On my way home, I was hit by a drunk driver. The accident left me needing knee surgery just as the season was about to begin.

"Right as the season was about to start, I got hit by a drunk driver... ended up having knee surgery about a week into the season, which ended my sophomore campaign."

Just like that, the season I'd worked so hard for was over before it ever really had a chance to begin.

Instead of competing for a starting spot, I found myself back in rehab.

Watching my teammates play while I was recovering wasn't easy. I wanted to be out there with them, helping my team however I could. Instead, all I could do was focus on getting healthy and trust that another opportunity would come.

At the time, I believed if I could just get back on the field, everything would fall into place.

I didn't realize the hardest part of my journey was still ahead.

I rushed through my knee rehabilitation because I wanted to be back on the mound as quickly as possible.

Like most athletes, I thought if I worked hard enough, I could speed up the recovery process.

Looking back, I learned that your body has its own timeline.

No matter how badly you want to compete, you can't rush healing.

Learning Patience

I worked through the spring and summer and made it back for the fall, hoping the toughest part was finally behind me. Instead, another injury brought everything to a stop. I partially tore my UCL and had to undergo platelet-rich plasma (PRP) treatment, forcing me to miss even more time.

"In the fall, I had another partial tear in my UCL, so I had to do PRP and sit out again. I was out for a whole calendar year at that point."

By the time I finally returned to the mound for my junior season, I was thankful just to be playing again.

"Played my junior year by the grace of God. I was able to have a somewhat successful season, but after not playing for a year, I wasn't really myself."

The season wasn't a failure, but I knew I still hadn't become the pitcher I believed I could be.

I wanted another opportunity.

That led me to one of the biggest decisions of my career.

I decided to transfer.

A Fresh Start

After my junior season, I transferred to the University of Louisiana Monroe.

Before arriving on campus, I had the opportunity to pitch in the Cape Cod League, one of the premier summer leagues in college baseball.

"I was fortunate enough to go to the Cape Cod League, which was a fantastic experience. I got to be around some of the best guys in the NCAA."

Being surrounded by that level of talent pushed me to become a better pitcher and reminded me that I could compete with some of the best players in the country.

When I arrived at Louisiana Monroe, everything seemed to click.

"I got on campus, became like a different guy. Really proved myself and earned a spot. The coaches, in my opinion, were great fans of me."

For the first time in several years, I finally felt healthy, confident, and excited about where my career was headed. Then my elbow started bothering me.

I began having nerve problems that eventually required surgery. Once again, I attacked rehab the only way I knew how. I tried to come back as quickly as possible. For a while, it looked like it had worked. I returned to the mound and pitched against UT Arlington. Then, on one pitch, everything changed.

"I started having nerve problems in my elbow. Had surgery January 2. Rushed that recovery. Came back, was pitching at Texas Arlington, and sure enough, blew my elbow and had Tommy John."

After everything I'd already been through, I was facing another major surgery. This time, it was Tommy John.

I would miss another season, but thankfully, I was able to receive my year of eligibility back.

Choosing Andrews Sports Medicine

When it came time to decide where I wanted to have Tommy John surgery, the decision wasn't difficult. Years earlier, when I was dealing with those surgeries in middle school, my dad had reached out to Dr. James Andrews for advice. Even though I had my surgeries closer to home, Dr. Andrews took the time to help point us in the right direction.

That experience stayed with me. So when I tore my UCL, I knew exactly where I wanted to go. From my very first appointment, the entire process felt organized and reassuring.

I had Tommy John surgery with Dr. Jeffery R. Dugas on May 28, stayed overnight in Birmingham, started physical therapy the very next day, and then headed home to begin the long road back.

One thing that stood out to me throughout the entire process was how much everyone genuinely cared. From Dr. Dugas to the rehabilitation staff, I never felt like just another patient. I felt like they wanted me to succeed just as badly as I did.

That gave me a lot of confidence as I started another year of rehabilitation. That gave me a lot of confidence as I started another year of rehabilitation.

What's Next for Me

Right now, my focus is simple.

Get healthy.

Every day is another opportunity to get a little stronger, throw a little farther, and get one step closer to competing again. Tommy John rehab isn't a quick process, but I've learned not to chase shortcuts anymore. I've learned to trust the process.

I'm grateful to have another year of eligibility, and my goal is to return to Louisiana Monroe, get back on the mound, and play the game I've loved since I was five years old.

Like every baseball player, I'd love the opportunity to keep playing for as long as I possibly can. That's still the dream.

My Takeaway

When I look back on my journey, it's hard to believe everything that's happened.

I've gone through six surgeries, missed multiple seasons, battled through a serious car accident, dealt with Tommy John surgery, and spent more hours in rehabilitation than I could ever count. There were plenty of moments when I could've let those setbacks define me.

Instead, they've taught me resilience.

They've taught me patience.

They've taught me not to take a single day on the baseball field for granted.

Most of all, they've reminded me why I fell in love with this game in the first place. I'm thankful for my family, my teammates, my coaches, Dr. Jeff Dugas, Dr. James Andrews, and everyone at Andrews Sports Medicine who has helped me along the way. Without them, I wouldn't have the opportunity to keep chasing my dream.

I'd do anything to keep playing baseball. And as long as I have another chance to step on the mound, I'll keep fighting for it.