A multi-year report by Major League Baseball was presented to all 30 clubs, including all current managers during the Winter Meetings a week ago. The same data has been reported on subsequently by ESPN, MLB, and other outlets. As Jeff Passan notes, there’s not much we don’t already understand within this data. Pitchers throw harder than ever, spend more time on the injured list for arm issues than ever before, and generally throw both fewer innings per player as well as fewer back-to-back outings for bullpen arms. Moreover, teams have adapted to these issues by working around them in lieu of finding direct solutions.
If MLB wants change from the MPH arms race, the modern bullpen must die
