houston astros Ace Justin Verlander joins the ranks of many concerned about the rise in injuries plaguing MLB pitchers this season, but he believes it’s not as simple as blaming the league’s new pitch clock rule. ing.
“I don’t know. It’s tough,” Verlander said Saturday. To the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea. “I think the game has changed a lot. I think the easiest way to blame it is on the pitch clock.”
Astros’ Justin Verlander warms up before Game 6 of the American League Championship Series against the Texas Rangers at Minute Maid Park on October 22, 2023 in Houston. (Bob Levy/Getty Images)
Verlander, who made his first start for the Houston Astros’ Triple-A Sugar Land Space Cowboys on Sunday while continuing to rehabilitate a shoulder problem, said he believes the increase in injuries is due to the evolution of pitching today. Ta.
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“Really, I think it’s a combination of everything, and it’s all having a little bit of an impact. I think the biggest thing is that the style of pitching has changed a lot. Everybody’s throwing the ball as hard as they can, We’re getting the ball rolling.’” Naturally, it’s hard to deny that result. ”
“Something needs to change. I don’t have all the answers.”
Corey Seager of the Rangers hits a double against Justin Verlander of the Houston Astros in the bottom of the sixth inning of Game 5 of the ALCS at Globe Life Field in Arlington, Texas, on October 20, 2023. . (Richard Rodriguez/Getty Images)
On the other hand, pitcher injuries occur one after another at the beginning of the season.
Shane Bieber of Cleveland, Spencer Strider of Atlanta; New York Yankees’ Jonathan Loaisiga, Miami’s Eury Perez and Oakland’s Trevor Gott are among the pitchers diagnosed with elbow injuries.
MLBPA executive says pitch clock is to blame for pitcher’s elbow injury
Last weekend, the players association issued a statement condemning the pitch clock, a rule that went into effect at the beginning of the 2023 season.
“Despite unanimous player opposition and significant health and safety concerns, the Commissioner’s Office shortened the length of the pitch clock last December, imposing the most significant rule change in decades. We only had one season left,” association secretary general Tony Clark said Saturday night. statement.
“Since then, concerns about the health implications of shorter recovery times have only intensified,” Clark said. “The league’s reluctance thus far to acknowledge or study the impact of these significant changes poses an unprecedented threat to our game and its most valuable asset, our players. be.”
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MLB fought back, The union’s argument “ignores the empirical evidence and the far more important long-term trends over decades of increases in speed and spin, which are highly correlated with arm injuries.”
Justin Verlander of the Houston Astros reacts against the Texas Rangers during Game 5 of the ALCS on October 20, 2023. (Carmen Mandert/Getty Images)
For Verlander, this issue should be a top priority. He said he’s concerned that the impact will extend to Little League.
“I just hope we don’t wait too long. This is obviously a pandemic and it’s going to take years to get over it, because right now everyone, including Little League, has no eyes on anything but Instagram. I can’t see because I’m not aiming.” I looked at my Instagram feed without seeing a kid who was 10 years old and trying to learn how to throw as hard as he could. I’m sure I never did that.”
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
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