The 2023 Major League Baseball (MLB) season is turning out to be one for the record books, but not for the reasons fans might hope. An unprecedented wave of pitcher injuries, particularly due to torn elbow ligaments, has swept through the league, sidelining key players and raising questions about the durability of modern pitchers.
Among the high-profile casualties are Eury Pérez and Shane Bieber, both of whom have been ruled out for the remainder of the season due to torn elbow ligaments, a notoriously challenging injury to recover from. Their absences mark significant blows to their respective teams, highlighting a growing concern across the league. Jonathan Loáisiga and Spencer Strider have also succumbed to season-ending elbow surgeries, further compounding the issue. Even Framber Valdez experienced elbow soreness severe enough to scratch him from a scheduled start.
These injuries are not isolated incidents but part of a disturbing trend affecting the sport. On Opening Day, 132 pitchers were on the injured list, accounting for a staggering 80% of all assignments. Furthermore, a shocking statistic reveals that 34.2% of pitchers in MLB have undergone Tommy John surgery, a procedure that reconstructs the ulnar collateral ligament (UCL) in the elbow.
Possible Culprits
The sharp increase in pitcher injuries has sparked debate over potential causes. Tony Clark, the executive director of the MLB Players Association, pointed to the implementation of the pitch clock as a contributing factor. The pitch clock was introduced as a way to speed up the game but has been criticized for potentially rushing pitchers and leading to injuries. However, MLB has countered this argument, citing a study that found no direct link between the pitch clock and an increased risk of injury.
Other factors have been speculated to contribute to the rise in injuries. For example, pitchers today are throwing harder than ever, a trend that undoubtedly puts more strain on their arms. Moreover, the crackdown on the use of foreign substances, intended to level the playing field, may inadvertently have left some pitchers more vulnerable to injuries, as they adjust their grips and throwing mechanics.
Youth baseball practices have also come under scrutiny. Early specialization and an overemphasis on velocity have been linked to a higher injury rate, with young pitchers pushing their bodies beyond their limits from an early age. This 'harder, faster' mentality has now permeated the professional ranks, where the demand for maximum effort on every pitch seems to conflict with the long-term health and career longevity of players.
Union Concerns and Strategy Shifts
The players' union has not remained silent on this issue. It has criticized the reduction in the length of the pitch clock and highlighted unanimous player opposition to the change. In a pointed critique, the union stated, "Despite unanimous player opposition and significant concerns regarding health and safety, the Commissioner's Office reduced the length of the pitch clock last December, just one season removed from imposing the most significant rule change in decades."
Amid these discussions, a broader conversation about pitching strategy and its implications for player health has emerged. The current ethos of maximizing every pitch has led to a conundrum. As one player put it, "It's a double-edged sword. How can you tell somebody not to utilize their full capabilities, especially when they can throw 100 mph? Yet, something needs to change." This sentiment underscores the difficult balance players must strike between harnessing their optimal performance and mitigating the risk of injury.
As the 2023 MLB season continues, the spike in pitcher injuries serves as a stark reminder of the sport's evolving challenges. While the search for answers and solutions continues, it's clear that a comprehensive approach, addressing both immediate concerns and underlying issues, is needed. This may involve reevaluating current pitching strategies, player training, and care protocols—all with the goal of safeguarding the health and careers of baseball's most valuable assets: its players.