Modern Arms Seem Fragile

Are today's pitchers simply incapable of staying healthy, or are we simply too overprotective of them when they're in the minors. Strange as it sound's, it could also be overuse, very early during their pre-teens. Another possibility is they are allowed to pitch incorrectly in grammer school and high school. Whatever the case, these young arms can't stay healthy.

In researching this story, I had to take a long, hard look at the Cubs. Hope I'm not bringing back too many unpleasent memories.

Here are some examples, with a "homer" or two thrown in for good measure. 

 NOTE : I am aware I spell tendinitis in two different ways. One is the medical spelling.

Stephen Strasburg

Stephen we barely had an opportunity to see you over the season and here we find you on the DL. It seems that you have an inflamed, stiff shoulder. You also hav a DC baseball populace on the edge of their chairs. Hold on ..wait..no there is a strong possibility of Tommy John surgery.

I'm sorry and good Luck...heal quickly...

Injuries;

 July, August 2010

Mark Prior

Seems more fitting to use a picture of Mark in a Cubs uniform instead of a San Diego Padres. He also didn't pitch in the "Bigs" for the Padres. 

He was originally brought up with the Cubs. Gave the city great expectations and unfortunately was initially hurt with the Cubbies as well.

Injuries:

2003- Ran into Marcus Giles and injuries forced him to miss All-Star-Game

2004- Achilles tear

2005- Various injuries but the comebacker that caused a compression fracture of his pitching elbow will be listed on this site.

2006- Shoulder strain and eventual diagnosis of tendinitis.

2007- A diagnosis of a "loose shoulder' and eventual exploratory surgery. 

Kerry Wood

This guy had it all. He could strike out anyone and was an innings eater. He walked quite a few as well, but that's a different story. Poor guy had just one down side. Couldn't stay injury free. He's also another part of the Cubby's tragedy.

Injuries:

1999- Tommy John surgery

2004- Strained triceps 

2005- Surgery

2006- Knee (hot tub incident); sore shoulder; rotator cuff 

2007- Soreness in elbow 2010- Back Muscle strain and blister on finger

Mike Pelfrey

I include "Big Pelf" more for the injury that seems to be between his ears than any prolonged stays on the DL. Yet he does seems to increasingly have inexplicable shoulder tightness.

Time will tell. If he is not injured then I hope as an unabashed Mets fan, that he gets it and keeps it together.

Injuries ;

2009- Arm tendinitis

2010- Tightness in shoulder

2010- Stiff neck

Aníbal Sánchez

I almost could have picked anyone from that Joe Giradi Florida Marlins 2006-2007 team including Josh Johnson or Ricky Nolasco. But Anibal  did throw a No-NO in 2006 against the Arizona Diamondbacks.So he gets the honor.

Injuries:

2003- Minor league- tendon moved

2007- Torn Labrum

2009- Shoulder issues

Joba Chamberlin

Another pitcher included more for what is between the ears than injuries. But Joba's velocity has either never truly returned or he's afraid to tap into it since the 2008 injury.

Injuries:

2008- Tendonitis

2009- Knee injury from an Adam jones line drive