2020–2021: The Pandemic Effect
The shortened 2020 season, implemented due to COVID-19, led to a spike in injuries. Pitchers, in particular, saw a 3.5-fold increase in elbow injuries compared to previous seasons. This surge was largely due to disrupted training routines and condensed schedules .Carolina Digital Repository
2022–2023: Escalating Concerns
In 2023, MLB recorded over 1,000 players on the injured list, a substantial increase from just under 700 in 2022. Common injuries included muscle strains, ligament tears, and overuse injuries, especially in pitchers' elbows and shoulders .New York Post+3Divine Health+3Wikipedia+3
2024–2025: Ongoing Challenges
By 2025, injury rates remained elevated. Notably, the number of Tommy John surgeries for major and minor league players peaked at 314 in 2020 and remained high with 281 procedures in 2024 . Additionally, injured-list placements from spring training through Opening Day rose from 61 in 2017 to 112 in 2025 .MLB.com+2PMC+2IJSPT+2AP News+4AP News+4ESPN.com+4
Velocity and Max Effort Pitching
MLB's 2024 report identified the pursuit of higher pitch velocities and maximum effort as primary contributors to the rise in pitcher injuries. Since 2008, average fastball velocities have increased from 91.3 mph to 94.2 mph, correlating with a surge in arm injuries .
Year-Round Training and Offseason Workloads
Pitchers now engage in intensive training during the offseason, aiming to enhance their pitching "stuff." This year-round approach, often lacking adequate rest, has been linked to increased injury risks, particularly during spring training .
Youth and Amateur Level Impacts
The emphasis on velocity has trickled down to youth and high school baseball. UCL surgeries among youth and high school pitchers at the Andrews Sports Medicine & Orthopedic Center rose from 10% of all UCL surgeries in 1995 to 52% in 2021 before dropping to 42% in 2023 .
