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Preventing and Evaluating Baseball Pitching Injuries

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Review of Baseball Pitching Velocity Programs and Products

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There are dozens if not hundreds of products and programs that claim to increase baseball pitching velocity. Which ones work, if any? Is it worth it for a baseball coach or pitcher to spend money on one?

In this episode of Baseball Pitching: The Fix, Angel Borrelli and I tackle the subject of baseball pitching velocity, where it comes from, and how programs and products developed to increase pitching velocity stack up — from a purely scientific perspective.

Below are quick notes about this, Season 4 Episode 4 of Baseball Pitching: The Fix.

MLB Trending Topics

Wei-Yin Chen – dead arm, tired arm, or elbow injury? Angel explains why there may have been confusion about Chen’s injury, as well as the warning signs to heed in pitchers with similar symptoms.

Cole Hamels‘ oblique injury. Angel talks about how and why a pitcher injures the oblique — either side — as well as the associated risks involved. She also explains how the obliques work in trunk rotation, acceleration, and deceleration.

Noah Syndergaard‘s lat injury, which leads into …

Teaching Moment

How and why do pitchers injure their lat muscle? Angel goes into detail explaining what the lat muscle is, where it is located, what it is connected to, and its role in the pitching motion. Further, she explains how pitchers can strain and injure the lat — as well as, how to prevent injury to it and what to do when it does get injured.

Getting It Done (with Science)

There are dozens, if not hundreds, of programs, devices, gadgets, contraptions, and other products that are designed with the intention to improve baseball pitching velocity and performance. Which, if any, should you invest in, and why or why not?

If you enjoyed this episode and would like to listen to more, you can download the app to your iPhone or Android device, or subscribe to the podcast via iTunes, Stitcher, or however you get your podcasts. Please tell another coach, pitcher, or parent about the show!

Noah Syndergaard, Madison Bumgarner, Felix Hernandez and Dead Arm Explained

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MLB Baseball Pitcher King Felix Hernandez pitching for the Seattle Mariners

Dropping Aces – three big-time aces are on the DL, for different reasons.

Trending Topics

  • Madison Bumgarner‘s dirt bike accident left him with an injured AC joint. Angel explains what that means and why she’s just as, if not more, concerned about his ribs
  • Noah Syndergaard: we recorded this episode before “Thor” tore his lat muscle, so in this show we discuss his biceps tendinitis / “tired arm” issue, and how it is related to the elbow bone spur that he suffered last season
  • Felix Hernandez‘s dead arm is mentioned, which leads the show to the …

Teaching Moment

With the news of King Felix’s “dead arm,” Angel explains what, exactly, “dead arm” is, how it happens, what pitchers need to do when it happens, and further risks involved with that type of injury.

Getting It Done (with Science)

Angel answers a listener’s question about bullpen sessions for starting pitchers. Specifically, when they should happen in between starts, how many pitches should be thrown, and how many days before a start they should occur.

Resources

Strength Training the Elbow for Baseball Pitchers

First-Pitch Strike Warmup and Recovery Program DVD (and added features)

Angel’s website: Gym Science

Subscribe to Baseball Pitching: The Fix on iTunes

Should Baseball Pitchers Ice After Games?

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Boston Red Sox pitcher icing arm in the dugout after coming out of the game

In Season 4, Episode 2 of Baseball Pitching: The Fix, Angel Borrelli and I discuss a number of topics that are relevant to every pitcher at every level from the little leagues to MLB.

Here are the show notes:

Trending Topics

Phillies starter Clay Buchholz suffered a partially torn flexor pronator mass, requiring surgery. What is a “flexor pronator mass,” and how can a pitcher prevent a tear? Baseball pitching motion troubleshooter Angel Borrelli explains.

Additionally, Yankees prospect James Kaprielian suffered a tear to his UCL, and will miss the entire 2017 season after Tommy John surgery. Angel and I discuss the warning flags preceding Kaprielian’s elbow injury — red flags that go all the way back to last year — and how the young hurler might have prevented the injury.

Finally, the current status of David Price is discussed; Price was shut down after his first spring training outing on February 28.

Boston Red Sox pitcher David Price pitching motion showing his front foot closed causing him to throw across his body

Teaching Moment

Continuing with David Price, Angel talks about a flaw in the Red Sox pitcher’s mechanics that could lead to elbow problems and other arm injuries. Price’s delivery is described by many as “throwing across the body,” and Angel explains why she prefers the phrase “stepping across the body.” Further, she applies fundamentals of anatomy, physiology, and kinesiology to connect the dots between that kind of pitching style and undue stress that can be placed on the elbow joint. Might Price have avoided injuring his elbow if his stride was straight? Listen to the science and decide for yourself. Regardless, if you are a pitcher or a coach, you’ll hopefully learn why throwing across the body is a bad idea.

Getting It Done (with Science!)

In the final segment of the show, Angel answers a listener’s question about what pitchers should do after they come off the mound. Specifically, should a pitcher ice down his arm after a game? Angel presents the scientific facts and research regarding ice. Also, she answers a question about long-distance running the day after a pitcher’s outing — again, based not on theory but on scientific research. You may be surprised by the answers you hear for both topics.

Do you have a question or comment about this episode? Would you like a question answered in a future show? Please leave a comment below, email us, or call 872-666-1493 and leave us a voicemail (your message may be played on the show).

The Curveball: All You Need To Know, From the Wrist Action To the Age

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Why are there so many baseball pitching injuries during spring training and at the beginning of the season? When is the right age for a pitcher to learn the curveball? Is there any risk in converting a position player to the pitching mound? Baseball pitching motion troubleshooter Angel Borrelli discusses these topics and more during Season 4’s inaugural episode of Baseball Pitching: The Fix.

Topics covered:

Spring Training Pitching Injuries

Over 40 pitchers suffered arm ailments in MLB spring training camps (at least, that’s by my unofficial count — see the list of pitchers injured here). Why were there so many, and why ARE there so many when pitchers start throwing again after the offseason break? What can pitchers — of all ages, at all levels — do to prevent getting injured at the beginning of workouts? Angel Borrelli provides answers and solutions.

Converting Position Players To Pitchers

One of the wounded pitchers this year hasn’t been a pitcher for very long. Jordan Schafer — who spent most of his pro career as an outfielder — suffered a UCL tear while pitching in the St. Louis Cardinals’ camp. Schafer’s unfortunate injury is a prime example of the risk involved in converting position players to the pitching mound. Angel explains why the transition can be dangerous, why some players should not be converted, and why pitchers should specialize in pitching at an early age.

All About the Curveball

In every episode of Season 4, we will be providing science-based facts and tips for coaches — call it “Science On the Bump.” The first topic we tackle is the curveball. Utilizing her background in kinesiology and body movement, Angel explains how the curveball is thrown, how it can be taught, and what age a pitcher should start learning to throw it. You may be surprised to find out the answers.

Hope you enjoy listening to the first episode of Season 4, and hope you learn something. If you did, please pass along the podcast to your fellow pitchers, coaches, and parents. And, if you listen to the show on iTunes, please consider leaving a review and/or rating the show (with 5 stars, we hope!).

Have a question you’d like answered on a future episode? Tweet it to @fixingpitchers on Twitter or send a message on the Fixing Pitchers Facebook page.

Offseason Training for Baseball Pitchers in the Gym and on the Mound

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In Season 3 Episode 14 of Baseball Pitching: The Fix, baseball pitching motion troubleshooter Angel Borrelli and host Joe Janish discuss the following topics.

Trending Topics in MLB

Updates on New York Mets pitchers Matt Harvey (thoracic outlet syndrome), Steven Matz (bone spur), and Noah Syndergaard (bone spur) — including why Matz is getting his elbow bone spur removed and why Syndergaard is not.

The mechanical flaws that should be corrected during the offseason by Synergaard, Toronto Blue Jays pitcher Roberto Osuna, and Jeff Samardzija of the San Francisco Giants.

Teaching Moment for Baseball Coaches

In this episode, Angel’s topic derives from listener feedback — several high school and college coaches asked when pitchers should start throwing if they participate in a fall season, and what pitchers should be doing in the gym during the offseason. Angel explains how to put together a throwing program to ensure pitchers are ready for next season.

Pitching Location Segment

How can baseball pitchers most easily hit their spots and put the ball where they want to? Angel provides the most fundamental secret to optimal command.

Be sure to subscribe to this podcast on iTunes, Stitcher, or however you listen to podcasts. And, consider sharing it with other baseball coaches, pitchers, and parents.