Pitching injuries: Simple to talk about, challenging to address.
I wasn’t present for Tony Clark’s comments about pitcher usage, which he made at the World Series before Friday’s opening game. Clark, the executive director of the Major League Baseball Players Association, stated, “Our discussions with players indicate that without a clear mandate for change, team decision-makers will keep pushing pitchers—both starters and relievers—to maximum effort for as long as possible. Once they start to fatigue, as the data shows they inevitably will, they tend to be replaced, leading to another pitcher being overused.”
I haven’t come across many of Clark’s other statements on this issue, so I’m unclear on his views regarding teams overworking pitchers. It doesn’t seem to stem from overuse, as most starters are typically limited to around 100 pitches and are often pulled before facing the lineup a third time. In 2024, only four MLB pitchers reached 200 innings. Relievers usually pitch for just one inning and rarely go more than two consecutive days.
From this perspective, teams appear to be trying to safeguard their pitchers and their investments. However, it’s true that pitchers are pushed to throw harder and improve their spin rates, which could place extra strain on their arms.
But what’s the alternative? If some pitchers spend their off-seasons working on their velocity and pitch improvements, should others just rest to protect their arms? That approach could hinder their performance and, in turn, affect their salaries and free-agent appeal.
A pitcher with high velocity has more leeway for error, which could help them avoid big mistakes, but this also increases their injury risk. MLB is reportedly researching pitcher injuries extensively, but the issue is complicated and not easy to resolve.
The Orioles know this well, as Kyle Bradish, John Means, and Tyler Wells combined for only 15 starts last season, while Grayson Rodriguez made 20 starts, none after July 31.
In today’s MLB, pitchers no longer work in four-man rotations like in Jim Palmer’s era; they typically pitch in five-man rotations and often receive additional rest. Teams are making efforts to support their pitchers.
But if the drive for increased velocity and spin is stressing pitchers’ arms, what should teams do? Should they advise their pitchers to avoid improvement while the other 29 teams are advancing?
In other news, Game 1 of the World Series drew impressive TV ratings, averaging 15.2 million viewers across all platforms, a 62% increase from last year’s Game 1. It also marked a 30% rise from the Phillies-Astros matchup two years ago, making it the most-watched World Series opener since the 2017 Astros-Dodgers game.
Additionally, Orioles outfielder Colton Cowser earned the American League Players Choice Award for Outstanding Rookie, having achieved a .768 OPS with 24 homers. This award, voted on by players and presented by the MLBPA, makes Cowser the third Oriole in four years to receive this honor, following Ryan Mountcastle in 2021 and Gunnar Henderson in 2023. Adley Rutschman was a finalist in 2022.
