Major League Baseball is urged to implement rule changes to enhance pitchers’ health and improve the game’s appeal, as per an internal MLB report resulting from a year-long investigation into the surge of injuries among pitchers.
The comprehensive 63-page report, dispatched by the Commissioner’s Office to MLB’s top executives and health and performance staff, was accessed by Sports Illustrated. The report describes itself as a crucial initial step towards pinpointing the primary reasons behind pitcher injuries and devising effective solutions to tackle this critical issue.
According to the report, MLB consulted with over 200 specialists, including ex-professional pitchers, orthopedic surgeons, team officials, biomechanists, player agents, and other experts involved in pitcher development, starting from the fall of 2023. Notably, current players were not included in the discussions.
The report highlights the current demanding yet fragile pitching environment. Pitchers are throwing harder and less frequently, which has increased the strikeout rates and reduced batting averages. However, this has led to more frequent injuries. The art of pitching has shifted towards relying on sheer power and intense efforts in brief periods, resulting in a rise in elbow and shoulder injuries.
One of the “recommended solutions” is enforcing change through new rules and roster limitations. The report criticizes the prevailing approach of reducing pitches and increasing rest, suggesting that it inadvertently encourages pitchers to exert maximum effort with each throw.
“We recommend considering rule changes at the professional level to shift incentives for clubs and pitchers towards prioritizing health and longevity,” the report suggests.
It proposes a scenario where “pitchers are encouraged or required to moderate their activity and throw at sub-maximum effort to last longer in games, which could be healthier for pitchers… Playing rules could be adjusted to encourage or require starting pitchers to conserve enough energy to allow them to pitch deeper into games. These incentives could be supported by roster rules that more appropriately regulate the availability of pitchers on a roster or in a team’s bullpen for a given game, including potential changes to the number and frequency of transactions that allow clubs to replace pitchers on their rosters.”
This recommendation aligns with prior internal and preliminary discussions MLB has had regarding a minimum innings requirement per game for starters, a penalty for removing a starter before a certain inning threshold, and a reduction in the number of pitchers on the active roster.
The report also notes a significant increase in the days pitchers spend on the injured list, doubling since 2015 and surpassing 30,000 days this year. The number of Tommy John surgeries has spiked by 69% since 2015, totaling 281 last season—one for each day of the championship season.
The modern pitching style, as per the report, detracts from the game’s quality and attractiveness, directly affecting fan engagement. The rise of strikeout-oriented pitching, the decreased prominence of the starting pitcher, and frequent roster changes are all factors that contribute to this issue.
The report also discusses:
The Velocity Cost
The report identifies high velocity as a primary cause of pitcher injuries, influencing both amateur and professional levels, resulting in increased torque on pitchers’ elbows.
The Pursuit of Spin and Pitch Characteristics Driven by Technology
The emphasis on optimizing pitch “stuff” over mastering pitching skills in labs and training centers has escalated the risk of injuries, the report indicates.
March: A Risky Month for Pitchers
From 2017 to 2024, the number of pitchers placed on the injured list from spring training to Opening Day jumped by 82%, although the rate slightly increased by 17% once the season began. Medical experts concur that offseason practices, especially those involving maximum effort throws or rapid velocity increases, are likely to heighten injury risks.
Data Shows Widespread “Max Effort” Adoption
Between 2017 and 2024, the fluctuation in four-seam fastball velocity decreased, indicating a trend towards pitchers throwing as hard as possible in each instance.
Changing Injury Types
The relentless pursuit of increased velocity and extreme pitch shaping has led to unique types of shoulder injuries, as noted by orthopedists.
Minor League Practices Also to Blame
The conservative handling of minor league pitchers, aimed at preventing injuries, might actually be under-preparing them for major league workloads, thus contributing to health issues.
Player Incentives
Pitchers are motivated to train in a manner that risks injury due to the financial rewards of high-velocity, high-spin pitching, both for established players and those aiming to make a mark.
Challenges in Amateur Baseball
Young pitchers in amateur baseball emulate professional practices, striving for high velocity and “stuff,” which may be inappropriate given their developmental stages.
The Impact of the Pitch Clock
Current data does not show a direct link between the pitch clock’s introduction and injury risks, warranting further investigation.
The Current Pitching Model’s Impact on Game Quality
The focus on velocity, “stuff,” and max-effort pitching has noticeably diminished the quality of gameplay, with current practices prioritizing strikeout accumulation over gameplay that engages fans.
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