Diamond Mine

Injuries SUCK

There may not be anything more frustrating to a baseball fan or executive than injuries. Most of the time, they are fluke accidents that some out of no where and injuries show no favor towards star players. There is one, undoubtable trend in injuries which is the most frustrating of all. Pitchers are more apt to be injured than any other position. Of the 137 currently injured ball players, 62% are pitchers.

That’s 86 players with significant injuries which will cause them to miss time this season and we’re not even half way through the first month of the season. Pitchers have the most physically demanding responsibility on the diamond and, therefore will incur more injuries as a group. This problem is compounded by the fact that, because Pitchers have the most physically demanding position, that same position is the most important to fill. By nature of the job, Pitchers are always in high demand and it is that same high demand that increases the chance of injuries. The more you think about it, the more it will drive you crazy. Relief pitchers are generally assumed not to be able to handle a high pitching workload and so, naturally are more easily injured than starters. However, Starters pitch so much more often and for longer durations at a time that they get injured about as often as relievers.

Just looking at the significant injuries on the list I made some observations:

Kelvim Escobar- Kelvim has been an excellent pitcher whenever he’s available but he’s only pitched over 200 innings once in his career. He could be out the rest of the season with a shoulder injury.

Rich Harden- The A’s should see him back in May. Does it really matter? He’s going to continue to injure himself pitching until he can’t take the mound anymore. HE’s like a less successful Mark Prior.

Anibal Sanchez- If the Marlins are going to win any significant amount of games this year or in the near future,they’ll need anibal to contribute. Starting off this season witha significant shoulder injury usually turns out pretty badly for all involved.

Pedro Martinez- Since September 27th 2006, Pedro has pitched 31.3 innings. That’s 1.1% of all the Mets innings pitched over that span. Whenever Pedro HAS been on the mound, the results weren’t pretty. He’s only managed to make it past the 5th inning twice in two seasons. 2008 is off to a typical Pedro start. HE’s out until mid may. The Mets have real rotation problems after John Maine’s turn, and if Pedro could muster up something in may, the Mets would look pretty good 1-4. Having no one really capable as your 4th and 5th starters makes the mets relatively weak in this area.

Mark Prior- Was there any doubt? As I stated earlier anyone with some sense should EXPECT injuries to happen to pitchers anyway, but, Mark Prior starts are getting to be more like a special ballpark promotion night than they are a regular occurrence. Mark Prior will help when he’s pitching, but it’ll be a blessing to the cubs if he starts more than 20 games.

Curt Schilling- Schilling is out until Late July. The Red Sox Rotation has moved well past Schilling since 2004. With Dice- K, Beckett, Wakefield, and even Lester, the BoSox may not even NEED Schilling. Of Course, Beckett will get a severe blister at some point in the season and they will need another starter, but, they still have Julian Tavarez, Clay Bucholz, or EVEN there closer can start. Schilling’s contributions will be more like fudge icing on a double fudge cake this year.

Carl Pavano- Apparently has an elbow problem. After a while, they all run together. I had to go to BaseballReference.com to check when it was the last time he’s even pitched. it’s been more than a full 356 days. Last year the Yankees payed 10 million dollars for just over 11 innings and an ERA over 4.50. Or you can look at it this way. Pavano has thrown 152 pitches in the past year. That’s $65,789.47 per pitch last year.

Kiko Celero- might be out for the year. Celero is a valuable Reliever. As an A’s fan, I’m a bit disappointed since the A’s bullpen had a chance to be GREAT this year. Instead, it will probably only be very good.

Joel Zumaya- Zumaya was expected to contribute to the Detroit bullpen this year and he won’t be back until late July. Zumaya is a hard thrower and his injury has to do with his shoulder. It may be until 2009 that his velocity returns to full form. This means that when he does return to the pen, he will most likely not bas as effective as he was in 2006 or 2007.

Casey Janssen- Janssen is out for ’08 which will put pressure on the Jays bullpen. B.J. Ryan will miss time, just like he does every year, and Janssen was able to lessen the blow last year by pitching so well out of the pen. If/when Ryan goes down this year, Arccado will have a much lesser set up man than he did in ’07.