Steve Webb
LOS ANGELES, CA — Dodgers writer Jack Harris’s article in the Los Angeles Times delves into the troubling injury epidemic among Dodgers pitchers, reflecting a broader issue plaguing baseball today. Walker Buehler, one of the most prominent figures in this narrative, serves as a focal point, embodying the paradox of modern pitching. As Harris writes, Buehler’s rise to stardom required transforming his body and pitching style, chasing velocity to catch scouts’ attention and cement his place in the majors. However, the cost has been steep, with two Tommy John surgeries by the age of 30.
According to the article, Buehler’s story highlights the dilemma facing many pitchers in today’s data-driven, velocity-obsessed game. In Buehler’s own words, “There’s some cost-benefit to it.” His success is undeniable, but it came at a physical price that now leaves his future uncertain. Harris notes that Buehler crossed the bridge to major league success, but “it came with a price.”
The Dodgers, more than any other team, have been in the eye of this storm, suffering a rash of pitching injuries over the past few seasons. Since 2021, they’ve had 98 injured-list stints for pitchers, more than any other MLB team. A large number of their pitchers, both veterans and prospects, have undergone major surgeries, particularly Tommy John procedures. The injuries have derailed the team’s hopes repeatedly, contributing to three straight early postseason exits since their 2020 World Series win.
One of the key trends contributing to the rise in injuries, according to medical experts like Dr. Glenn Fleisig, is the emphasis on velocity in pitching development. Fleisig explained to the Times, “Put all the emphasis on velocity, and you end up with a bunch of hard throwers who are blowing out.” This phenomenon is not limited to the Dodgers but affects pitchers across the league as teams and players prioritize speed, even at the cost of long-term health.
The Dodgers’ injury woes are exacerbated by their focus on cultivating young, high-velocity arms. Since Buehler debuted in 2017, the team has graduated 13 starting pitchers from its farm system, but they have collectively spent almost half their time in the majors on the injured list. Young arms like Dustin May, Tony Gonsolin, and Emmet Sheehan have all been sidelined for extended periods, disrupting their development and weakening the Dodgers’ depth.
Dodgers president of baseball operations Andrew Friedman has expressed frustration with the trend, acknowledging that the club will need to take a closer look at the issue during the offseason. “It’s been a really challenging year on that front,” Friedman said in pregame press gaggle. “[It’s] something that we’re going to need to spend a lot of time on this winter to really dig in on.”
The Dodgers have tried to mitigate their pitching challenges by acquiring high-upside veterans like Tyler Glasnow and Shohei Ohtani, but these players have also been injury-prone. Ohtani, for example, will likely not pitch this season due to his past Tommy John surgery, and Glasnow has struggled with his own health issues, casting further uncertainty over the Dodgers’ postseason pitching plans.
The article also explores the wider context of baseball’s injury crisis, citing factors such as the lingering effects of the COVID-19 pandemic, the pitch clock, and the crackdown on sticky substances. These elements have all contributed to the surge in injuries across the sport, yet the escalation in velocity remains the most significant driver.
Medical experts like Dr. Jason Zaremski from the University of Florida echo Fleisig’s concerns, stating to the Times, “The faster you throw, the higher the spin rate, you will be more successful. But, there’s an increased risk of injury.” As teams push their pitchers to throw harder and with more spin, the strain on their bodies increases, resulting in the current epidemic of elbow and shoulder injuries.
Despite advancements in biomechanics and training technology, no team has yet found a way to fully prevent these injuries. Dodgers general manager Brandon Gomes summed up the club’s frustration, saying to Harris, “We just don’t know.” The article suggests that while teams like the Dodgers continue to innovate with motion capture and biomechanical analysis to improve performance, they have yet to find an effective solution to mitigate the risks that come with higher velocities.
In summary, the Dodgers’ struggles with pitching injuries reflect a broader issue in modern baseball. The quest for velocity, while crucial for success on the mound, has come at a steep cost in terms of player health. As the sport continues to grapple with this trend, teams like the Dodgers will need to balance performance with long-term durability if they hope to keep their pitching staffs healthy and competitive in the years to come.
There is a whole lot more about this topic, including a lot of informative graphics in the original piece by Jack Harris. If you have a subscription to the Times, I can’t recommend it highly enough. Check it out.
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