TL;DR - Scouting Report
MLB's pitching injury study reveals alarming insights into rising injuries linked to velocity and overuse. Discover the findings, proposed solutions, and the MLBPA’s current silence on the report.
Start the Rally: Tweet This Now!The league released a groundbreaking report analyzing the dramatic rise in pitcher injuries over the past two decades. The comprehensive study sheds light on the factors contributing to these injuries and proposes potential solutions to safeguard players’ health while preserving the competitive integrity of the game. Below, we outline the ten most significant takeaways from this research.
1. Increase in Pitch Velocity and Spin Rate
The focus on higher velocity and optimized spin rates has significantly increased stress on pitchers’ arms, leading to a rise in injuries like UCL tears and shoulder problems
2. Max-Effort Pitching
Pitchers are increasingly throwing at maximum effort, both in games and during training sessions. This approach contributes to overuse injuries.
3. Tommy John Surgery Trends
The number of UCL reconstructions (Tommy John surgeries) has more than doubled in the past decade, highlighting the severity of arm injuries among pitchers.
4. Shorter Outings for Starters
Starting pitchers are throwing fewer innings per start. Major League starts lasting five or more innings have declined from 84% in 2005 to 70% in 2024.
5. Increase in Injured List (IL) Placements
IL stints for elbow and shoulder injuries have risen dramatically, with elbow-related IL placements tripling and shoulder-related injuries doubling since 2005.
6. Impact of Modern Training and Youth Development
The trend of early specialization and high-intensity training at younger ages is linked to overuse injuries in amateur and professional pitchers.
7. Concerns Over the Modern Bullpen Usage
The reliance on bullpen pitchers for short stints with max-effort throws has contributed to the arms race for velocity and subsequent injury risks.
8. Rule Change Proposals
Suggested changes include limiting bullpen transactions, managing pitcher usage more strictly, and reducing the frequency of max-effort throws to encourage endurance over velocity.
9. Cultural Shift Required in Baseball
Experts argue that baseball needs to move away from the “velocity-first” mindset and prioritize pitcher health, emphasizing longevity and effectiveness over raw power.
10. Focus on Preventative Measures
Recommendations include improved biomechanics education, smarter workload management, and changes to training practices at all levels to mitigate injury risks.
Conclusion
The release of this extensive study marks a significant step by the league in understanding and addressing the factors contributing to the rise in pitcher injuries. However, it is important to note that the study was conducted and released solely by MLB, without direct involvement from the Major League Baseball Players Association (MLBPA).
As of now, the MLBPA has not formally responded to the findings, leaving questions about how the players’ union views the conclusions and proposed solutions. The lack of collaboration between the league and the union on this critical issue underscores the complexity of implementing meaningful changes.
This study highlights the ongoing challenge of balancing innovation and performance with the health and longevity of players. The road to reducing injuries will require cooperation among all stakeholders in baseball, including players, teams, medical experts, and league officials.
