Jose Fernandez to have MRI for unknown injury

[mulwin444]

You have to wonder how someone like Nolan Ryan was able to pitch for 27 years and finish with 222 complete games.

Impeccable mechanics, throwing with legs the size of tree trunks, and 90% fastballs.  

[Tyler]

My guess is... added upper body weight from strength training putting more forceful pressure on the elbow, a body part that can't add muscle + throwing a power slider = TJ surgery.

[AngelsAndRamsFan]

@markmulder20: You want to stop TJ injuries----then don't play baseball. Kids pitch year round and don't play other sports. Arm only has so many bullets.

[Jeff M]

Sad news. Fernandez is my favorite pitcher to watch (I'm a little biased as I own him in a couple fantasy leagues)...but he makes the Miami Marlins a must watch game every five games.

[happybat4]

I agree with Mulder. Tommy John even has said that there is simply more injuries because as youth kids are pitching year around. The day of the 2 sport athlete is dying.

[Inside Pitch]

You have to wonder how someone like Nolan Ryan was able to pitch for 27 years and finish with 222 complete games.

 

He didn't pitch more than 200 innings in a single season before turning 25.   Historically, pitchers who didn't top 200 innings until 25 or older have had fewer major injuries. 

[Lhalo]

Jon Heyman just reported on MLB Network that Fernandez has a torn UCL.

 

He's done for the season.

[Hollyw00d]

Having kids pitch when they're 10, 11, 12 or even earlier most likely is having an effect as well. Especially when they play as many games as little leaguers do now. The body and muscle structure is not fully developed yet, and these kids are putting too much stress on their arms too early. Pitchers eventually will break down, it's the nature of the throwing motion. And the earlier kids start, the more susceptible to serious issues later on. It's not going to change unless kids play less games, aren't allowed to pitch until at least high school, or the throwing motion is changed.

I don't think any of that will happen, though.

[ScottT]

@markmulder20: You want to stop TJ injuries----then don't play baseball. Kids pitch year round and don't play other sports. Arm only has so many bullets.

 

... or take time off from pitching and still play baseball.  I vaguely remember that happening when I was younger.  

[Docwaukee]

Richards has a very light workload in college.  

[Tyler]

With the Marlins playoff hopes all but out of reach, it'd be a good time to get talks going for Cishek before another team jumps at the newly presented opportunity.