The Boston Red Sox made a roster move on Wednesday, placing right-handed pitcher Brayan Bello on the 15-day injured list due to tightness in his right lat muscle. To fill his spot, the team called up right-hander Zack Kelly from Triple-A Worcester.
Bello’s injury adds to the list of setbacks for the Red Sox, who currently lead the league with 13 players sidelined due to various injuries, including key rotation pitchers like Lucas Giolito, Nick Pivetta, and Garrett Whitlock.
Meanwhile, Kelly, who boasts a 1-0 record with a 3.91 ERA in 21 relief appearances for Boston in his career, gets the opportunity to contribute to the team. Despite not having made an appearance this season, he has showcased promising form, securing one save and maintaining a clean sheet in six outings at Worcester.
Switching gears, the escalating rate of pitcher injuries in Major League Baseball has sparked widespread concern and discussion within the baseball community. The recent season-ending elbow injuries to prominent pitchers such as Shane Bieber, Spencer Strider, and Eury Perez have intensified debates regarding the underlying causes of this trend.
To gain insights into the matter, MLB sought opinions from a selection of pitchers about their perspectives on the rising injury rates and potential solutions to address the issue.
Trevor Rogers of the Miami Marlins expressed alarm at the increasing frequency of injuries among pitchers, emphasizing the impact on the game’s appeal when star players are frequently sidelined. Caleb Ferguson of the New York Yankees echoed Rogers’ sentiments, highlighting the prominence of injured players as a significant concern.
Pitchers like Kirby Yates of the Texas Rangers and Max Fried of the Atlanta Braves acknowledged the complex nature of the problem, attributing it to various factors such as increased pitching velocity and evolving game dynamics.
The discussion delved into the role of velocity in contributing to injuries, with players acknowledging its correlation with stress on the body while emphasizing the importance of pitching technique and strategy beyond sheer speed.
Regarding potential solutions, opinions varied. Some pitchers, like Mark Leiter Jr. of the Chicago Cubs, pointed to the implementation of a pitch clock as a contributing factor to fatigue and injury risk. Others, such as Adam Ottavino of the New York Mets, emphasized the need for comprehensive data analysis to understand the full impact of rule changes like the pitch clock.
Additionally, concerns were raised about the consistency and condition of baseballs, with pitchers noting that variations in ball quality could affect grip and performance, potentially leading to injuries.
In summary, the issue of pitching injuries in MLB remains complex, with players, teams, and league officials grappling to find effective solutions to mitigate the risk and ensure the health and longevity of pitchers in the sport.
