Thursday already! Big Wednesday in sports yesterday, we had the East Play-In games, the 5th member ever to join the 100 assist club in the NHL, Champions League drama, and a complete game shutout in Baseball. Sounds like a full slate to me!

LETS. GET. INTO. IT.

THE DAILY STUMPED🔮 

STUMP STORY OF THE DAY✍️ 

The MLB Has an Elbow Problem

The MLB is facing a crisis. Well, technically, the MLB is facing multiple crises (Shohei betting, the ugly stepchild Oakland (Sacramento?) Athletics, ugly jerseys, and more!). One of the biggest alarm-sounding hot-button issues comes in the form of the elbow, or lack thereof.

Does the name Tommy John sound familiar? Well, if it doesn’t, I’ll explain. Mr. John was a former professional pitcher who played in the MLB for 26 years. He was nicknamed “the Bionic Man”, he is also the namesake and test dummy of one of the most popular surgeries in today’s age of baseball. The surgery, originally done by Dr. Frank Jobe on John’s elbow in 1974, aims to stabilize the elbow, reduce or eliminate pain, and increase range of motion. After surgery, John went on to pitch another 15 years in the MLB.

So why does that matter today?

To start the 2024 MLB season, it seems like everyday a new pitcher is out for the season with an elbow issue. Two names that pop off the page are Spencer Strider of the Atlanta Braves and Shane Bieber of the Cleveland Guardians, two of the best pitchers in the sport, now out for the season to have major elbow surgery.

So why the heck is this happening?

There’s a lot of speculation on the root cause of all this, but realistically, it’s probably some combination of it all. Teams have placed a financial emphasis on velocity and movement of the ball, both cause strain on the elbow. Pitchers are throwing harder and with more breaking balls than ever before. Pitches like the “sweeper” and the “power changeup” cause a lot of stress on the elbow, due to the importance of squeezing tight on the ball to get the desired movement.

Many look to the pitch clock as the boogie man in this situation, as it’s so new and different. While the pitch clock may have some sort of effect, it’s not scientifically proven. Baseball is pretty resistant to change, so it’s no wonder everyone looks to that.

The three major indicators of injury risk are effort, amount of pitches thrown, and mechanics. While pitchers today are well coached, they are also coached to throw as fast as they can for how long they can. In their mind, winning is everything.

One other factor may be that at a younger age kids are specializing as pitchers. With access to travel teams, high school teams, and little league teams, all with different rules and regulations, kids are pitching year-round. If they don’t have the people around them to watch out for them, it could be bad news.

I don’t have an answer to why this is happening, but I will tell you this. In a time where it seems like the MLB is constantly in hot water with some sort of problem, this can’t be one that slips through the cracks. The best thing about baseball is the players, the raw talent. The MLB can’t have their best products constantly out with injuries. I don’t get paid enough to tell you what it is they’ll do. Would the MLB go as far as implementing a pitch count? I doubt it, but they better do something.

Here are some interesting facts to bring to the table for you:

• in 2010, 241 pitches were placed on injury lists, in 2021, 552.

• of the 10 active pitchers who have won a Cy Young (MLBs best pitcher in each division), 8 are currently hurt

• Since the beginning of 2024, 11 different MLB pitchers have been put on the injury list and out for the season due to Tommy John

• This doesn’t include an even longer list of players who are missing extended time due to “elbow soreness

🎙️SONG OF THE DAY

Fool in the Rain - Led Zeppelin

This song feels like Spring. Hopefully so does the weather near you. A timeless classic from a band who I’ll forget about for a few months then be obsessed with for weeks. Just one of many great ones.

Link to enjoy: LINK

WHAT’D YOU MISS⁉️📰 

• 🏀 NBA BANS Raptors Jontay Porter for violating the league’s gambling rules

  • He told people to take his UNDERS!!! Read our story HERE

  • He made $21,000 in bets but is losing out in a $2 million salary…sheesh

• ⚽️ Man City IS OUT of the Champions League! Lose in PKs to Real Madrid, who advance to the semi-finals

• 🔵 The NCAA has approved a new rule that allows transfers to play immediately at their new school so long as they meet academic requirements

• 🏀 After his 40-burger, Zion Williamson will miss play-in elimination game against the Sacramento Kings on Friday

• 🏒 Tampa Bay Lightning superstar Nikita Kucherov becomes the fifth player in NHL history to join the 100-assist club! Second this season after Connor McDavid

• ⚾️ Justin Verlander to make season debut for the Astros on Friday vs Nationals

• 🏀 WNBA draft set a record view rate with 2.45 million viewers! Fun time to get into the WNBA!

• 🏒 After Penguins miss the postseason for the first time since 2006, players state frustration for season performance

• ⚾️Angels’ pitcher Robert Stephenson out for year with elbow injury, signed three-year deal this offseason