In a groundbreaking study that could reshape the future of baseball, Major League Baseball has identified several critical factors fueling the alarming rise in pitcher injuries. The comprehensive 63-page report, the culmination of a year-long investigation, sheds light on a complex web of issues threatening the health and longevity of the sport’s most valuable assets.
Chasing Velocity and “Stuff”: A Risky Pursuit
At the heart of the problem lies a relentless pursuit of higher velocity and better “stuff”—a term encompassing the movement, break, and spin rate of pitches. As pitchers push their bodies to the limit in this quest for dominance, they’re unwittingly setting themselves up for a myriad of arm ailments.
“There’s no question that if we take the simplest thing, which is fastball velocity, you can see how the average increase in fastball velocity has completely paralleled the increased incidence of injury,” an orthopedic surgeon involved in the study revealed. “If you could take one factor, it’s that.”
This dangerous trend isn’t limited to the professional ranks. The allure of velocity has trickled down to amateur levels, with young pitchers adopting risky training methods and max-effort deliveries in hopes of gaining an edge. As one pitching coach put it, “We understand throwing harder increases your injury risk. That’s true at a population level. Now for the overwhelming majority of human beings on Earth who aspire to play baseball at a serious level, that trade-off is worth it.”
The Unintended Consequences of Workload Management
Ironically, the very strategies intended to protect pitchers may be contributing to their downfall. Modern workload management practices, such as reduced innings and more rest between appearances, have led to pitchers exerting maximum effort more frequently, knowing their time on the mound will be limited.
“I used to pitch to chase outs,” a former MLB pitcher lamented. “Now they chase velocity. I had to play a chess match to try to get 24 or 27 outs. Now it’s a sprint to go as hard as you can, as long as you can. Starters have a reliever’s mentality now.”
This shift in mindset, coupled with a perceived lack of preparedness among minor league pitchers for the rigors of the big leagues, has created a perfect storm of injury risk. As one athletic trainer observed, “When do you throw your first back-to-back? It’s in the major leagues. Same with three out of four days. They’re not getting exposed to it in the minor leagues. That’s a lot of strain on your arm, if you’re not accustomed to monitoring your warm-up pitches in the bullpen and used to the recovery afterwards to prepare yourself for the next day.”
The Fallacy of Surgical Invincibility
Advancements in surgical techniques, particularly Tommy John surgery, have created a false sense of security among pitchers. Many believe they can push their bodies to the brink, secure in the knowledge that modern medicine can repair any damage.
“They have such a faith in the Tommy John procedure, they’re willing to sacrifice their own elbow knowing if they wind up tearing it, they can get it fixed,” an orthopedic surgeon revealed. “By the way, with the new procedures going on, telling them they can get well in half the time with this internal brace phenomenon, it doesn’t help at all with the relationship that pitchers have in their own mind about getting an injury.”
This cavalier attitude ignores the stark reality that 20% of pitchers who undergo Tommy John surgery never return to their previous level of performance. It’s a gamble many are willing to take, believing that the rewards of throwing harder outweigh the risks.
A Call for Change: Valuing Health and Durability
While the study paints a grim picture, it also offers a glimmer of hope. By encouraging pitchers to prioritize health and durability over short-term gains, MLB hopes to engineer a cultural shift that reverberates from the majors down to the grassroots level.
Some of the proposed solutions include:
- Rule changes incentivizing pitchers to work deeper into games at sub-maximum effort
- Smaller pitching staffs to necessitate more balanced workloads
- Limits on roster moves to discourage the shuttling of fresh arms from the minors
- A renewed emphasis on cardiovascular fitness and endurance training
By implementing these measures and fostering a culture that values long-term success over fleeting moments of brilliance, MLB hopes to stem the tide of pitcher injuries and ensure the sport’s brightest stars can shine for years to come.
The path ahead is fraught with challenges, as entrenched attitudes and practices won’t change overnight. But armed with the knowledge gleaned from this groundbreaking study, baseball stands poised to embark on a new era—one in which the health and well-being of its pitchers are no longer sacrificed on the altar of velocity and “stuff.”
As the sport confronts this existential threat, the decisions made in the coming years will shape not only the future of pitching but the very soul of America’s pastime. For the sake of the game and the generations of hurlers to come, let us hope that wisdom, foresight, and a genuine concern for player welfare guide the way forward.
This shift in mindset, coupled with a perceived lack of preparedness among minor league pitchers for the rigors of the big leagues, has created a perfect storm of injury risk. As one athletic trainer observed, “When do you throw your first back-to-back? It’s in the major leagues. Same with three out of four days. They’re not getting exposed to it in the minor leagues. That’s a lot of strain on your arm, if you’re not accustomed to monitoring your warm-up pitches in the bullpen and used to the recovery afterwards to prepare yourself for the next day.”
The Fallacy of Surgical Invincibility
Advancements in surgical techniques, particularly Tommy John surgery, have created a false sense of security among pitchers. Many believe they can push their bodies to the brink, secure in the knowledge that modern medicine can repair any damage.
“They have such a faith in the Tommy John procedure, they’re willing to sacrifice their own elbow knowing if they wind up tearing it, they can get it fixed,” an orthopedic surgeon revealed. “By the way, with the new procedures going on, telling them they can get well in half the time with this internal brace phenomenon, it doesn’t help at all with the relationship that pitchers have in their own mind about getting an injury.”
This cavalier attitude ignores the stark reality that 20% of pitchers who undergo Tommy John surgery never return to their previous level of performance. It’s a gamble many are willing to take, believing that the rewards of throwing harder outweigh the risks.
A Call for Change: Valuing Health and Durability
While the study paints a grim picture, it also offers a glimmer of hope. By encouraging pitchers to prioritize health and durability over short-term gains, MLB hopes to engineer a cultural shift that reverberates from the majors down to the grassroots level.
Some of the proposed solutions include:
- Rule changes incentivizing pitchers to work deeper into games at sub-maximum effort
- Smaller pitching staffs to necessitate more balanced workloads
- Limits on roster moves to discourage the shuttling of fresh arms from the minors
- A renewed emphasis on cardiovascular fitness and endurance training
By implementing these measures and fostering a culture that values long-term success over fleeting moments of brilliance, MLB hopes to stem the tide of pitcher injuries and ensure the sport’s brightest stars can shine for years to come.
The path ahead is fraught with challenges, as entrenched attitudes and practices won’t change overnight. But armed with the knowledge gleaned from this groundbreaking study, baseball stands poised to embark on a new era—one in which the health and well-being of its pitchers are no longer sacrificed on the altar of velocity and “stuff.”
As the sport confronts this existential threat, the decisions made in the coming years will shape not only the future of pitching but the very soul of America’s pastime. For the sake of the game and the generations of hurlers to come, let us hope that wisdom, foresight, and a genuine concern for player welfare guide the way forward.
