LOS ANGELES — The head of the players’ association, Tony Clark, has expressed concern that Major League Baseball teams are pushing pitchers to maximize their velocity, which he believes is contributing to a rise in injuries and diminishing the role of starting pitchers. Speaking ahead of the World Series opener on Friday, Clark highlighted the issues arising from the game’s focus on analytics. This season witnessed a record low of only 26 complete games, which is lower than the number of games pitched by Catfish Hunter in 1975 alone.
Clark emphasized that unless team decision-makers acknowledge that their methods are detrimental to pitcher health, no significant changes will occur. He stated, “Without a conscious decision to change how pitchers are utilized, we won’t see progress. A rule change would be difficult without that awareness.” Over the last decade, the average velocity of fastballs has risen from 93.3 mph to 95.5 mph this season, while injury rates have also surged, with 484 pitchers landing on the injured list this year, nearly double the figure from 2014.
Postseason averages for starting pitchers have dropped to 12.8 outs, a decrease from 13.8 in the previous year and 15 in 2022, according to data from Elias Sports Bureau. Clark added that discussions with players indicated that unless there is a decisive shift in the current practices, teams will keep relying on their pitchers for maximum effort until they inevitably tire, leading to a cycle of injuries among both starters and relievers.
In an earlier statement, Clark attributed increases in injuries to the newly implemented shorter pitch clock, which MLB countered by pointing to a long-standing trend of escalating velocity and spin rates correlating with arm injuries over the years.
Regarding the postseason format, Clark expressed approval of the 2022 labor contract that expanded the playoffs from ten to twelve teams, but voiced concerns about a proposed 14-team setup. He noted that every team reaching at least 90 wins has made it to the playoffs, while even teams with 84 wins have qualified for wild-card berths. Arizona’s successful advancement to the World Series after securing the sixth and final NL spot was highlighted as a positive example.
Clark praised teams like the Kansas City Royals, who demonstrated that a quick turnaround from a difficult season to playoff contention is achievable under the new format. He remarked that the integration of two more playoff spots allows for different strategies and increased competitiveness across the league.
However, Clark also cautioned that further expansion might lead some franchises to be less focused on making significant improvements in their rosters during the off-season. He stressed the importance of maintaining the value of regular season victories. “We must tread carefully with alterations to the playoff format,” he stated. “Every win should reflect its true worth, which is why players were hesitant about a 14-team playoff.”
In a different context, Clark expressed satisfaction regarding the decision to maintain a grass playing surface at Sutter Health Park in Sacramento, which will serve as the Athletics’ temporary home from 2025 to 2027. Although there was an initial plan to install artificial turf due to the park hosting both the A’s and the San Francisco Giants’ Triple-A affiliate, the players’ union advocated for natural grass, particularly considering Sacramento’s extreme summer temperatures.
Clark noted, “We have voiced our opinions on this for some time. The formal conclusion to use grass ensures player health and safety were taken into account.” He suggested that restrictions on the number of on-field events may be necessary to preserve the quality of the grass and that periodic reseeding might be required to maintain the playing surface.