The recent surge in arm injuries among Major League Baseball pitchers has once again brought the topic of pitcher health to the forefront. Top pitchers like Shane Bieber and Spencer Strider have been affected, leading to debates between the league and the Player Association about the impact of the pitch clock on these injuries.
Justin Verlander, a future Hall of Famer with a history of pitching-related injuries, has shared his opinions on the matter. Verlander, who is currently recovering from shoulder inflammation, has expressed concerns about the increasing emphasis on throwing the ball as hard as possible. He believes that the focus on velocity rather than the pitch clock is a major factor in the current injury trend.
Verlander has suggested that changes need to be made to incentivize longer outings and reduce the reliance on short-burst, high-velocity appearances by both starting pitchers and relievers. This shift in pitching style may be challenging to implement but could ultimately help reduce the number of injuries impacting pitchers in MLB.
MLB is currently looking into the issue of pitcher health, and it is hoped that actionable steps will emerge from their research. Finding common ground between the league and the Player Association on how to address this “pandemic” of arm injuries will be crucial in safeguarding the well-being of pitchers at all levels of the game.
