MASH Report (5/16/16)

• I am going to start with a report which just came out from the Journal of Shoulder and Elbow Surgery on UCL tears. Here is the conclusion:

MLB pitchers requiring UCL reconstruction do not pitch at higher velocities than matched controls, and pitch velocity does not appear to be a risk factor for UCL reconstruction. However, MLB pitchers who pitch a high percentage of fastballs may be at increased risk for UCL injury because pitching a higher percent of fastballs appears to be a risk factor for UCL reconstruction.

I agree with every aspect of the findings expect “pitch velocity does not appear to be a risk factor for UCL reconstruction”. The problem with the study is that the difference was between pitchers with similar velocities (less than 1 mph difference). I would not expect a huge injury rate difference in pitchers throwing 91 and 92 mph. As I previously found, harder throwers do see an increase in Tommy John surgeries. Their velocity statement may be true under their limited conditions, but it isn’t stated as so. It is made to read like a major breakthrough, but it isn’t.

• Logan Forsythe is out with a fractured collarbone.

… after steady-hitting second baseman Logan Forsythe was placed on the 15-day disabled list with a hairline fracture of his left shoulder blade.

With Forsythe likely to miss at least a month, the Rays will search for others to fill the void left by his absence.

The preceding information is a little vague and after looking at previous data, I found why … this injury is rare. I have three instances of a hitter with a fracture in the collarbone or shoulder with the average days missed at 46 with a median value of 40 days. So basically, we should expect him to be out a month and a half.

• David Peralta is out with a wrist injury. He hasn’t played since May 9th, so he can get off the DL rather quickly since it was backdated.

“I don’t expect anything at this point,” Hale said. “We talked to him and he just didn’t feel comfortable trying to swing yet. David was just not improving enough. At this point it’s the best thing for him. We’re hoping it’s eight days but we just don’t know yet.”

I can’t get a read on this injury and would key in on news of swinging a bat without pain.

• Michael Brantley is back on the DL because his shoulder is still not 100%. I expect him to come off in the minimum days, but the shoulder will bother him for a while.

• Luis Severino will be out for an unknown time. I expect more detailed news to be released today or tomorrow on his return time.

• Andrew Cashner is out with a strained hamstring.

“He’s not at 100 percent,” manager Andy Green said. “We’re at a place with our roster constraints where we have to have a guy for tomorrow. Cash isn’t ready to completely do that. I think he thinks he’s completely ready, which I appreciate, but given the rash of hamstring injuries that we have had, we thought 10 days on the DL versus the six to eight weeks if he strains it pitching 100 pitches tomorrow is a better choice for us long-term.”

Sounds like it may be a quick DL stint.

• The Royals put 40% of their crappy starting rotation, Kris Medlen (inflamed rotator cuff) and Chris Young (strained forearm), on the DL.

• Wilmer Flores was placed on the DL with a strained hamstring.

• Brett Cecil will take a few weeks off to see if he can cool down his red-hot 5.23 ERA.

Fastball velocity reading for pitchers returning from the DL

• John Lamb’s average fastball velocity is down 2.5 mph from last season.

• Cory Luebke’s velocity is even to up compared to the last time he threw in 2012.

• Lance McCullers’s velocity is down about 1 mph.

Players on the 2016 DL

The Red players have had updates since the last report. Click on the “Date” for a link to go to the latest article on the player.