Why are so many Orioles’ pitchers hurt? | MAILBAG

Question: What is up with this organization and the pitching injuries? They all seem similar – lat strains and ulnar collateral ligaments. Even given the epidemic of injuries in MLB, this just seems like an organizational training issue. (Look at Philadelphia’s staff, for example – they have nothing like this.) From: James Tinneny

Answer: James, as you might expect, I’ve received many questions about pitching injuries. Steve on Kent Island wonders about why there are so many pitching injuries as compared to the 1960s and 1970s.

As I pointed out in a story this week, the Orioles are hardly alone in baseball in having pitchers on the injured list. James is correct. Philadelphia has just one pitcher on the injured list now.

It seems there’s an epidemic of pitching injuries, and as manager Brandon Hyde mentioned in spring training, it starts when young players play competitively at a young age, specialize in baseball and throw hard.

I’m not sure that the Phillies are doing anything differently than the Orioles. If you look at the Orioles in 2023, you’ll find much fewer pitching injuries. If Phillies’ pitchers maintain their health and the team has a strong year, I’m sure other teams will be trying to copy their methods.

Question: I get it that analytics are driving the modern game, but do you ever think Earl Weaver thought that he should bench Frank and Brooks against right-handed pitchers or Boog vs. lefties? To me you roll with your best players and rest them when they need it. They hit their way through the minors against righties and lefties. Why is it that when they reach the majors they can no longer do it? From: Jim & Veronica Fink

Answer: Jim and Veronica, as pointed out in the excellent new book on Weaver, “The Last Manager,” he was an early devotee of analytics. There are very few players in baseball history as good as Frank and Brooks Robinson, and Brandon Hyde plays Gunnar Henderson every day, whether there’s a right-hander or left-hander pitching.

Good players hit their way through the minors against pitchers who often aren’t good enough to be in the major leagues, and they’re facing far better pitchers in the majors.

Most weekdays, I’ll be answering at least one Orioles question. If you’d like to submit a question, send it to: Rich@BaltimoreBaseball.com. Questions may be edited for clarity, length and style.