Pirates need to be careful heading into 2025 after MLB releases pitching injury study

For major league pitchers, sometimes the best advice is to work smarter, not harder.

In a 62-page study released last week, Major League Baseball identified factors that have led to an increase in arm injuries among MLB pitchers. The study included interviews with more than 200 industry professionals, including former professional pitchers, orthopedic surgeons and athletic trainers.

The study revealed a number of factors leading to a higher arm injury rate, including injury history, a false sense of security provided by surgical advancements, and unorthodox training routines developed during the pandemic. Among these factors, though, two emerged above all: chasing higher velocity and better "stuff," which includes horizontal and vertical break, as well as spin rate.

According to Jesse Rogers of MLB.com, one of the league's biggest concerns is that pitchers are overworking themselves during the offseason. The study showed that pitching injuries have spiked during spring training as opposed to midseason, due in large part to improper offseason training regimens.

"We go from season ending to offseason programs because we want to add velocity or a breaking ball," one former MLB pitcher said in the study. "They don’t get any time off. They want to start spinning the ball and they’re never giving the arm a break."

Pirates need to be careful heading into 2025 after MLB releases pitching injury study

The Pittsburgh Pirates have experienced the spike in pitching injuries firsthand over the last couple of seasons, particularly among relief pitchers. Carmen Mlodzinski was placed on the injured list with right elbow inflammation during spring training in 2024, and David Bednar missed significant time in the spring due to a lat injury. Dauri Moreta also underwent Tommy John surgery after making three spring appearances.

Starting pitcher Johan Oviedo and Endy Rodriguez, a position player, also had Tommy John last December. The club also dealt with a number of injuries throughout the season, including Jared Jones (lat strain), Colin Holderman (wrist sprain), Kyle Nicolas (oblique strain) and others.

While the league is taking steps to address the pitching injury epidemic, much of the onus falls on the individual teams as well. For a team that relies heavily on its dominant pitching staff, the Pirates need to be careful with their arms by encouraging (or requiring) them to moderate their training activity during the offseason.

More Pirates content from Rum Bunter