Pitcher Injuries in Baseball: Key Findings from the 2024 MLB Report
In December 2024, the MLB issued a memorandum titled MLB Report on Pitcher Injuries. This report was commissioned to identify factors that reduce injury and improve health for players at all levels of baseball. The key risk factors found in the report are velocity, early season workload, and maximal effort throwing. With high school and youth baseball seasons right around the corner, it seems like the ideal time to review these findings and reduce injury risk.
Velocity
Increased throwing velocity increases the risk of arm injury in baseball and softball by increasing torque on the player's elbow and shoulder. (1) Pitching velocity has significantly increased in youth baseball in the past 10 years. It’s not unusual now to see 14 and 15-year-olds throwing at velocities that college players once struggled to reach. This overall velocity increase has led to an increase in the number of shoulder and elbow injuries. According to the American Orthopedic Society of Sports Medicine, there has been a five-fold increase in youth baseball and softball injuries since 2000.
As you enter the spring season, consider these suggestions related to pitching velocity:
Be careful with harder throwers. Unfortunately, these are the pitchers who likely want to pitch more and whom coaches want on the mound, but be watchful for overuse with these athletes.
Pitchers who had a “bump” or increase in velocity of greater than 4 or 5 miles per hour in a year should be used with caution. Especially in youth baseball, this bump is often associated with a significant increase in height and/or weight, which leaves growth plates and soft tissues at risk for injury. Be particularly careful with pitch counts and watch for signs of fatigue with these athletes.
Early Season Workload
As this graph from the MLB report shows, the majority of arm injuries in professional baseball resulting in time missed on the Injured List occur early in the season.
This may seem counterintuitive, as people often think that injuries occur more frequently later in the season. This finding, however, corresponds with what we see in the clinic at the youth, high school, and college levels. Every March and April, we see a huge increase in the number of patients we evaluate for throwing-related injuries.
Make sure you are considering the following, especially early in the season:
Gradually increase a player's throwing volume. It is helpful to follow pitch count guidelines such as those outlined in PitchSmart, but keep in mind that the recommended number of pitches doesn’t change throughout the season so, early in the season, use extra caution.
Maximum Effort Throwing
Consistently throwing with maximum effort, both in relation to velocity and spin rate, was found to be a contributing factor in increased injury rate. With modern pitch tracking technology, players can know their metrics from pitch to pitch during practice sessions and lessons. This leads to higher stress being placed on their throwing arms, not just in games but in practices, too. Radar guns are also being used in training sessions with exercises such as med ball throws and weighted ball training, which places more stress on overhead athletes. Make sure you are taking the following into consideration with regards to maximum effort throwing:
Make sure your athlete isn’t always using radar guns, especially early in the season when players' arms aren’t ready for the stress.
Changing pitching mechanics to increase the spin rate is likely to put more stress on the arm and increase the risk of injury. Never change mechanics to chase increased spin.
Final Thoughts
To reduce the risk of injury for pitchers at all levels, it is crucial to take these key findings seriously. Increased velocity, early-season workload, and maximum effort throwing all contribute to arm injuries, and understanding these risks can help players, coaches, and parents make informed decisions. As the youth and high school baseball seasons begin, prioritizing gradual throwing progression, monitoring pitch counts, and limiting high-intensity throwing will be essential in protecting young arms. By implementing these strategies, we can help ensure that pitchers stay healthy and perform at their best throughout the season.
If you are looking for a way to establish ways for you or your team to reduce their likelihood of injury, we have an Arm Care Program that addresses these concerns for you! Our Arm Care Program starts with a 3D pitching assessment and is followed by one-on-one sessions guiding you through your individualized program to recover, strengthen, mobilize, and maintain your arm health. Perfect for all overhead & throwing athletes.
For more information, reach out to Sara Carpenito at scarpenito@completegamept.com
Nicholson K, Hulburt T, Beck EC, Waterman BR, Bullock GS. The Relationship Between Pitch Velocity and Shoulder Distraction Force and Elbow Valgus Torque in Collegiate and High School Pitchers. Journal of Shoulder and Elbow Surgery (2020).
MLB Office of the Commissioner, December 2024, MLB Report on Pitcher Injuries
This article is an educational resource written by Complete Game employees. Complete Game bloggers are licensed professionals who abide by the code of ethics outlined by their respective professional associations. The content published in blog posts represents the opinion of the individual author based on their expertise and experience. The content provided in this blog is for informational purposes only, does not constitute medical advice, and should not be relied on for making personal health decisions.