It seems like every other day, someone is blowing out their UCL and needing Tommy John Surgery. The Dodgers have had their share – Buehler, Gonsolin, May, Frasso, et al. What can be done to stop this? Can anything be done to stop this? I have been listening to all of the talk about this problem for a couple of weeks… and it is a growing problem. However, I do not believe there is just “one thing” that is causing it.
What really could be causing it?
- Everyone throws every pitch with maximum velocity. Whether it’s a fastball at 98 MPH or a slider at 92 MPH, just about every pitcher is throwing every pitch at maximum effort. Is it any wonder pitchers only go five innings… and blow out their arms? Just get them to throw with less velocity! Yeah, that will work. That is not going to change…
- How about a six-day rotation for every team to increase the rest period between starts? – Yeah, Shohei Ohtani was in a six-man rotation his entire time in Anaheim and didn’t avoid Tommy John surgery. It might help… but it’s not the solution.
- How about the time between pitches, which MLB cut back by 2 seconds this year? – I don’t think the extra two second reduction in this year’s pitch clock is going to make much difference. There are a myraid of factors contributing to the surge in arm problems. The pitch clock is one possible factor, but it’s probably being blamed disproportionately due to recency bias.
- How about teaching pitchers how to pitch and not just fall in love with a radar gun? – Yeah, that is gonna work! Come on man!
- Let them use Spider Tack. Now, of all the issues about arm injuries, I think that the banning of Spider Tack and other like substances has contributed to the TJ injuries more than anything. The Athletic said this about it: “Spider Tack represents the logical extreme in an arms race for better spin and nastier movement that has gone, to this point, unchecked by the league. Until a crackdown comes, Spider Tack is still one smear on the artist’s palette that is a pitcher’s glove. Pine tar, a sunscreen-and-rosin mixture and bubble-gum spit are more commonly used, another MLB pitcher said, but Spider Tack is easy to hide and wickedly effective. It’s almost too sticky — it takes WD-40 or baby oil to get it off your fingers. “Spider Tack is there to have on your glove for when you need that slider or heater to really rip,” the pitcher said.“ Additionally, Spider Tack gives a pitcher better control – there is a much lower likelihood that guys will be beaned!
See, when you don’t use Spider Tack, you can still spin the ball as fast and throw it as hard – you just have to exert dramatically more pressure on the baseball, and this comes from the “flexor area” of the forearm. Pitchers will do what they have to do to spin the ball and sometimes (without the Spider Tack) the ball slips out of their fingers and beans the batter. Spider Tack gives better control and the ability to spin the ball without forearm strain and blowing out the UCL.
Of course, this gives the pitcher a huge advantage over the hitter (except for the fact that they get beaned less). So, my proposal is to allow the Spider Tack and then allow the bat to be 25% bigger at the barrel. Tit for tat!
The fact that all of the names going down with UCL injuries this year are prominent guys isn’t helping things, either. Travis Sawchik with The Score recently reported the numbers, and (according to him) there have been fewer Tommy John Surgeries through this point in 2024 than there were in 2021, 2015, and 2014. So it’s not like we’ve never seen injuries on this scale before. It’s just that the ones that are currently occurring are just happening to Shane Bieber, Eury Perez, Lucas, Giolito, Spencer Strider, Sandy Alcantara, et al.
The notion that pitchers can just “go back” to focusing on location and not on filthy, nasty, wicked, high-spin sliders and curve balls and 100 MPH smoking velocity fastballs is not rooted in reality. Hitters today are stronger, in better shape, more talented, and hunting for extra-base hits more than ever before. You don’t see guys going up there and dropping down sacrifice bunts or trying to push weak contact the other way to move a runner up a base. Even if you could guarantee that backing down velo and deemphasizing spin would keep pitchers healthy – which you can’t – it would just keep them healthier while worsening their results, in all likelihood.
It’s the same as when people say hitters need to just go back to slapping the ball the other way and bunting. Yeah… Right! That was sooooo much easier when the average fastball was 6-7 mph slower than it is now and when guys weren’t throwing 92 mph sliders. It’s easy to say “bunt.” It’s damn hard to bunt a 92 MPH slider or a 100 MPH fastball. Fans who say that have no clue. No idea whatsoever! Brett Butler would not be nearly as effective in today’s game.
Bring back the Spider Tack.
Make the barrels of the bats bigger… and
Oh, bring on the Automatic Balls and Strikes Electronic Equipment and retire Angel Hernandez and his Bullshit!
Was there a game last night? I didn’t think so…
Actually, the last time the Dodgers lost on Jackie Robinson Day (2020), they won the World Series. Actually, there were two bright spots: Nick Ramirez and Ricky Vanasco. There is hope for the bullpen, but that Glasnow is a bum! 😉
Discussion (30)
Disagree, not disagreeable
And while I’m on my ample soap box as some of you guys sight me in for the kill shot, I’m old enough to remember when Lasorda took over from Walter Alston in the 70’s, he was the guy who was going to get us over the hump after losing to the A’s in ‘74 and getting trampled by the Big Red Machine every year., our fiery savior from the Dukes. After losing to the Yankees in ‘77 and ‘78 , fans were getting restless, (gee, ring a bell?). He finally won in ‘81, but he had a reputation of leaving his pitchers in too long and running them ragged. Also, in ‘85 he had a chance to walk Jack Clark ,with a base open but didn’t want to face Andy van Slyke, so we all know how that turned out. So , no Dodger manager is without his warts, and also back then they ragged on Lasorda in the late ‘70’s saying anybody could manage a team that was so loaded with talent, Garvey, Lopes, Russell , Cey, Baker, Smith, Ferguson, Yeager, Wynn , the toy cannon, Mota, Buckner, pitching with Sutton , Rhoden, Rau, and of course the stud Messersmith. Then you got Mike Marshall to close. I know first hand because I was a young paperboy in the mid to late 70’s and used to read how the sports columnists totally trashed Tommy as a no win blowhard.as I folded my papers for my route, used to kill me reading that. Sound familiar 40 years later? Don’t think Tommy was relieved when he finally won in ‘81???? Like I said., if your a true Dodger fan , act like it, search the history of this franchise and you will see that just about all the managers got criticized and had the pitch forks out for them at one time or another by the same douchbags as we have today, why do you think Alston got ushered into retirement ? You still have to win in this market, and Roberts, warts and all, has done that, He doesn’t go 2 for 30 like mookie and Freddy did last year, plus having zero starting pitching against the D Bags . Move on people, it’s a new season!!!
I am so over uneducated Dodger fans posting their shortsighted BS on multiple sites. Next person that says fire Doc, fire yourself,, he would be hired by another team within a week. He is a MANAGER, which in this day and age is more than between the lines and making game decesions, it’s about pumping certain players up, holding other players accountable, and keeping the clubhouse culture with all those huge egos pulling in the same direction, all within the huge microscope of being the Dodger manager, Another thing, before all these tool bags with a key board start trashing the Dodger front office , do your damn research. Ned Colleti mentioned just a couple of days ago that he and most GMs don’t even think about making a major move until early or mid May,, as some players are still working themselves into the season, and some take longer than others. He also mentioned that by that time you get a feel for what your players are all about. And he isn’t the only baseball exec who has preached this, especially bullpens, which we all know that half the guys there right now will not be there by late August. Just do your friggin research by listening to players and execs who have been there and get paid to know the flow of the game before you spout your keyboard Cowboy crap. Never seem so much negative vibes this early in the season, who are these clowns??? if your going to be a true Dodger fan act like it. Any Bozo can be a Giant fan , all they do is talk trash all day long, nothing but negativity. Take the long game and believe in the process, we WILL be there come October, just chill the heck out , trust Freidman knows what he’s doing, and enjoy the season, going to be lots of ups and downs.
Ohtani is 1-18 with runners in scoring position and has failed in both his at bats tonight. That is not what you expect from the highest paid player in baseball. He needs to turn that around asap.
Kevin Gowdy is turning into a personal fave.
Had another scoreless inning tonight, which makes it 6 out of his 7 outings this year.
So far it’s 7 Ks with just 1 walk.
Dodgers pitcher development reportedly transitioned him to a 2 seamer and it’s worked. He’s also 92-95 on the sinker & throws that for a strike 75% of the time.
Over a billion dollars spent and Kike Hernandez is batting fifth? And Chris Taylor sixth. Ouch!
1. I never saw the fascination in Luis Rengifo and Moreno is truly an idiot.
2. BR ranked the Angels Farm System dead last.
3. The Dodgers were ranked #6.
4. Players have to truly have real documented injuries to be put on the IL.
5. The Dodgers churn their pitching staff more than any other team.
6. I have no problem with that.
7. Tonight and tomorrow are bullpen games.
8. Andy Pages has a chance at being very good. His light-tower powers plays up.
9. The Fact that he can play all three outfield positions means a lot.CT3 and Kike should be looking over their shoulders.
10. Trevor Bauer should sue a bunch of people.
Mark, I would just soon you not post this comment. If the policy everything gets posted I understand. Wanted to discuss the IR. Before I start I will be the first to admit you forgot more than I will ever know. But back when the then DL was ten days for both players and pitchers, I recall the Dodgers manipulating the rule a lot. If I remember correctly when they moved the pitchers to 15 days they called it the Dodgers rule. When they wanted to give a pitcher a one start rest the ten day DL worked perfectly. I would think the Dodgers could come up with an injury to CT3 and send him to Camelback. I think even if he volunteered it would be a mistake to send him to OKC. He needs to get away from games and crowds. I don’t profess to be BF Skinner or any kind of a shrink but I was a long time high school basketball coach and worked as an assistant for a couple of years in college. When I had a player that was struggling and I sent him down to the JV, more times than not we would lose that player. We found if we gave the players a week break, (slight pulled muscle or some excuse if the kid agreed) we had more success. Of course it depends on the kid. Thank you for listening to my reasoning and a BIG thank you for bringing back the sight. One other note. You will see a change of email address in the near future. I’m finishing my second four year term, though we don’t have term limits I believe that two terms should be enough for anyone. I taught government and would tell my students such, so I’m sure some would remember and call me out as they should.
Brusdar Graterol progressing toward a rehab assignment
04/16/24 Los Angeles Dodgers designated LF Taylor Trammell for assignment.
04/16/24 Los Angeles Dodgers optioned LHP Nick Ramirez to Oklahoma City Baseball Club.
04/16/24 Los Angeles Dodgers recalled OF Andy Pages from Oklahoma City Baseball Club.
04/16/24 Los Angeles Dodgers selected the contract of RHP Eduardo Salazar from Oklahoma City Baseball Club.
04/16/24 Los Angeles Dodgers optioned RHP Ricky Vanasco to Oklahoma City Baseball Club.
04/16/24 Los Angeles Dodgers recalled RHP Kyle Hurt from Oklahoma City Baseball Club.
“Did The Dodgers Trade Andy Pages Once?
Interestingly, Pages was almost traded away to the Los Angeles Angels in 2020. While the Dodgers were working on trading for Mookie Betts from the Boston Red Sox, they were also working on a deal with the Angels that would have sent Pages, right-handed pitcher Ross Stripling and outfielder Joc Pederson to the Angels for utility man Luis Rengifo.
However, Angels owner Arte Moreno didn’t want to wait when there was a hold-up in the Betts deal, so the trade fell through.
The Dodgers will remain forever grateful that it did”.
The Dodgers are calling up right-hander Eduardo Salazar, reports Fabian Ardaya of The Athletic. The club has a full 40-man roster and the righty is not yet on it, so a corresponding move will be required to add him.
I see some people squawking about not bringing up Pages earlier and going with a warm body (Trammel).
Just by delaying the call-up, the Dodgers would have Pages under team control for an extra year until 2030.
thought this was a good breakdown. That was a fun series.
https://youtu.be/8UM8-UnjYCw?si=H3KUpvYppD5xkibA
kiki, barnes, taylor, rojas! now that’s scary!
10:10 PM ET
Nationals (7-9)
Dodgers (11-8)
SP Patrick Corbin L
0-2 8.44 ERA
SP Ryan Yarbrough L
1-0 3.07 ERA PRIM
Confirmed Lineup
SS Mookie Betts R
DH S. Ohtani L
1B F. Freeman L
RF T. Hernandez R
2B E. Hernandez R
LF Chris Taylor R
CF Andy Pages R
3B Miguel Rojas R
C A. Barnes R
Home Run Odds
67° Wind 10 mph Out
I see some people squawking about not bringing up Pages earlier and going with a warm body (Trammel).
Just by delaying the call-up, the Dodgers would have Pages under team control for an extra year until 2030.
thought this was a good breakdown. That was a fun series.
https://youtu.be/8UM8-UnjYCw?si=H3KUpvYppD5xkibA
“But Lindsay Hill wasn’t the only accuser!! His banning from baseball and blackballing is by-the-book. It’s the rule of law!”
As I’ve mentioned before. I was wrong when I concluded that Bauer was probably guilty of at least something, based in part on the testimony of other witnesses.
These people – all of them: the accusers, Knight, Hernandez – they’re all liars.
https://youtu.be/w9ecxebb3_I?si=VvxTH4aiD4GQVYVm
if pages hits, and i believe he will, and teo goes to left, and pages goes to right, and outman stays in center, and mookie stays at shortstop, and lux stays at second, where does kiki and taylor fit in? ok Bear im getting ahead of myself, but really excited to see this kid swing it! reall, if you had to choose between kiki or taylor who stays and who goes? for me taylor is better defensively than kiki, but 1 for infinity scares me! pages starting tonight? haven’t see a lineup yet. go barnes!
Blue Jays Designate Ex Dodger Mitch White For Assignment
The Jays acquired him in a 2022 deadline deal with the Dodgers alongside SS Alex De Jesus, with prospects Nick Frasso and Moises Brito going the other way.
RIP Whitey Herzog and Carl Erskine. Oisk was a Brooklyn legend and the only Dodger pitcher in their long history to record multiple no-hitters besides Sandy Koufax. It was Koufax who broke Erskine’s record of 14 K’s in a World Series game when he struck out 15 Yankees in game one in 1963. Ohtani is wearing Erskine’s # 17.
BA ranked their Hottest Prospects:
2. Andy Pages, OF, Dodgers
Team: Triple-A Oklahoma City (Pacific Coast)
Age: 23
Why He’s Here: .520/.567/1.080 (13-for-25) 7 R, 2 2B, 4 HR, 12 RBI, 4 BB, 5 SO, 1 CS
The Scoop: The good news is Pages’ shoulder looks fully recovered from last year’s season-ending labrum surgery, which means he could factor into the Dodgers’ plans at some point later this season. After a slow first week and a half, Pages was nearly unpitchable this week. Pages’ power is legit, and he’s an above-average runner with a plus-plus arm who can play either corner and not get embarrassed in center field. If everyone is healthy, Los Angeles doesn’t have any room for him in the outfield or at designated hitter, but for a team that has already sustained too many injuries to count, Pages serving as useful Triple-A depth is important. (JC)
Well I told you guys get better hitters in 7,8,9, batting lineup Adames Yelich and any other bench guy from Brewers would be better then Taylor Barnes Lux Rojas even Kiki they better do something not wait until trade deadline they lost to the Nationals last nite. At least the Giants are fun to watch because there 7,8,9, batters at least make contact and get runs in are guys swing for the fences.
Carl Erskine has passed away at 97 per the MLB network
good to see Mr. Pages get called up. I hope they’re not bringing him up to him or platoon him. Give him a chance not two games or three games but a couple of weeks to see if he can cut it. Excited to see him, The last big excitement to go into the outfield, not Mookie was puig. Hoping Pages doesn’t turn out to be like him. Lotta raw power l, of athleticism, lot of excitement. Right now the Dodgers need a boost. Let’s hope it’s him go Barnes.
RIP Ken Holtzman….. another example of not having to throw high 90s to be successful! Solid pitching and good/great defense is still the recipe for success!!
VIVA AZUL!!!!
R.I.P. Whitey Herzog – Dead at 92!
We are all better for watching you.
The Dodgers listened to all our prayers:
“The Dodgers are calling up top outfield prospect Andy Pages, as first reported by Francys Romero (X link). The 23-year-old is already on L.A.’s 40-man roster, so they’ll only need to make a corresponding 26-man move, though it’s possible his promotion still leads to a 40-man move. Speculatively speaking, fellow outfielder Taylor Trammell could be at risk with Pages’ ascension to the big leagues, and Trammell is a recent waiver claim who’s out of minor league options”.
According to MLB rumors Andy Pages is coming to the show.
Rats are jumping ship mighty early. I see a talented team having some early season struggles. It happens. In 2018, they did not start rolling until July, and then they were trying to catch the Rockies. Also, it should be noted that Glasnow was ill last night and still took his turn. I saw him coughing several times in-between pitches. The team has the assets and ability to get what it needs at the deadline. Right now, it needs Heyward back in the dugout ready to play, which if all goes well should be in a couple of weeks. They also need Taylor to figure out his problems quickly. Outman seems to be seeing the ball better and has hit in a lot of bad luck. Lux just needs a ton of reps. He is a lot better hitter than he has shown. I have no clue what the answer is to all of the injuries. My only theory is that these guys have it in their heads that throwing at max effort is the only way to get hitters out. Greg Maddux would disagree.
Pages called up
Ready to give up on the big club and just follow the minor leagues. They rarely disappoint.
Using Spider Tack will increase movement. A wider barrel could reduce strikeouts, but increase foul balls, which increase pitch count, which will increase stress on the pitcher.
Interesting idea, but will it work?