COULD MLB RESTART MAKE PITCHERS MORE SUSCEPTIBLE TO ARM INJURIES?

Source: ABC7 New York 

So, another weekend without baseball brings more time for us to ponder things we may not have, if our focus was actually on baseball games.  I mean, I am sort of going through this withdrawal, kind of like a recovery in some ways.  It is like someone died and I have had to come to grips with the fact that this person is now gone.  And during this recovery period, I start thinking about things that we might want to do so we can prevent something like this from ever happening again.  With this prevention came some insights, a nugget of sorts that is something we should expose.  Could quickly ramping up the season make pitchers more susceptible, more prone to Tommy John Surgery? Could this really happen?

Source: Columbia Magazine- Columbia University

According to an article in the Medium written by head team physician for the New York Yankees Dr. Chris Ahmad, "The coronavirus pandemic may greatly compound and exaggerate the risk factors associated with the spring Tommy John surgery spike. The enthusiasm to get back to baseball right now is simply enormous. Players and their families have been understandably craving baseball for months at this point and are growing impatient. In addition, athletes are pressured to showcase their talent for a starting position or to provoke interest from college or professional scouts. That translates to maximum effort throwing." This is very concerning to say the least.  And with the current uptick in Tommy John surgeries across the league over the last few years, there is certainly a fear that any sort of elbow soreness could be the start of an injury leading to this season ending surgery.

Source: USA Today

“The reasons behind the spikes are related to some combination of the sudden start of play, rapid competition intensity, lack of early season physical conditioning, lower preparation coming from offseason, not yet fully optimized throwing mechanics and playing with elbow pain,’’ said Ahmad according to the New York Post.

Fear of the surgery may lead to fear of disclosing that there is a problem.  Many pitchers simply keep the pain to themselves, which could in many ways, make the situation worse.  “Many players after the long off-season waiting period are unwilling to disclose elbow pain or acknowledge their lack of preparation fearing they will be shut down right away,’’ Ahmad wrote.

Dr. Ahmad provides some advice to players to keep them healthy and safe during this time of isolation in order to prevent injuries. "During this time of social isolation players should continue and if not already, initiate, a strengthening and endurance program for their shoulder, elbow, and also their core & leg/base muscles. This may be accomplished with video interaction with strength coaches and baseball coaches," reports Ahmad in the Medium.  Most importantly, if a player feels pain, he needs to speak up and slow down, allowing the tendon to heal, and follow a protocol to get healthy.

Source: CBS Sports

On Mother's Day, when I would normally spend the day likely going to the Stadium with my family, I use this time to regroup and reflect on ways I could be better.  Perhaps taking a pause, slowing down and getting in touch with how I feel is the message here.  I share this same sentiment with you. Because when baseball and some sense of normalcy comes back, we all need to be ready to go.  Slow and steady wins the race is the apparent message here.  Upticks in Tommy John surgery is not something the sport or our players need.  Let's hope this serves as a wake up call to stay the course and don't rush to be better when our bodies are saying to slow down.  Stay in touch with your body and stay safe and healthy.

--Suzie Pinstripe
BYB Managing Editor
Twitter: @suzieprof