Major League Baseball (MLB) has been at the center of a heated debate regarding the impact of a shorter pitch clock on the recent surge in pitcher injuries. The league argues that the rise in injuries is not directly correlated with the pitch clock, pointing to a three-decade increase in pitcher injuries despite the recent implementation of the pitch clock. MLB also highlighted a decrease in UCL surgeries at the minor league level during the first year of the pitch timer’s use across the minors in 2022. The league believes that factors such as increased emphasis on max-effort pitching and pitch design have a more significant influence on the rise in pitcher injuries than the pitch clock itself.
Moreover, MLB emphasized the long-term trend of velocity and spin increases in pitchers, which have been highly correlated with arm injuries. The league is currently conducting a research study into the causes of increased injuries and cited an analysis by Johns Hopkins that found no evidence to support the notion that the introduction of the pitch clock has led to more injuries. Additionally, MLB pointed out that there is no evidence to suggest that pitchers who work quickly or speed up their pace are more likely to sustain an injury compared to those who do not.
On the other hand, the baseball players’ association, represented by union executive director Tony Clark, has expressed significant concerns about the impact of the reduced recovery time due to the shorter pitch clock on pitcher injuries. Clark stated that despite unanimous player opposition, the commissioner’s office decided to shorten the pitch clock in December, just one season after implementing the most significant rule change in decades. The players’ association is worried about the health impacts of the reduced recovery time and criticized the league’s unwillingness to acknowledge or study the effects of these changes, referring to it as a threat to the game and its most valuable asset – the players.
Several pitchers, including Shane Bieber, Spencer Strider, Jonathan Loáisiga, Eury Pérez, and Trevor Gott, have been diagnosed with elbow injuries, leading to season-ending surgeries and significant time away from the game. Bieber, the 2020 AL Cy Young Award winner, will undergo Tommy John surgery for an injured UCL, while Strider and Loáisiga are also facing season-ending elbow surgeries. Pérez and Gott have also been sidelined due to UCL injuries, raising concerns about the impact of these injuries on their careers.
MLB has also highlighted the increase in players entering professional baseball with pre-existing significant injury histories, which could potentially lead to recurring issues. The league pointed out that the number of players with UCL reconstruction history before being drafted has increased significantly in recent years, indicating a growing trend of players with prior injuries entering the professional leagues.
In an effort to address the concerns raised by the baseball players’ association, MLB instituted a pitch clock for the 2023 season with specific time limits depending on the baserunner situation. The average length of a nine-inning game has decreased significantly since the implementation of the pitch clock, signaling a potential positive impact on the pace of play.
The debate over the impact of the pitch clock on pitcher injuries is ongoing, with both sides presenting compelling arguments to support their positions. As the league continues to study the causes of increased injuries and players voice their concerns about the impact of the pitch clock on their health, finding a balance between competitive play and player safety remains a top priority for MLB.
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