MLBPA Links Pitcher Injuries to Faster Pitch Clock, MLB Disagrees

As elbow injuries plague top pitchers, the MLBPA cites the shortened pitch clock as a cause, while MLB points to a study refuting the claim.

The MLB Players Association, led by executive director Tony Clark, has raised concerns about the impact of the MLB's shortened pitch clock on player health, linking it to a spate of elbow injuries among pitchers.
Recent elbow injuries have affected several top pitchers, including Shane Bieber, Spencer Strider, Jonathan Loáisiga, Eury Pérez, and Trevor Gott, with some requiring season-ending surgeries like Tommy John.
MLB introduced a faster pitch clock in the 2023 season to shorten game times, reducing the time pitchers have between pitches, a change that has been met with unanimous opposition from players.
Despite the MLBPA's concerns, MLB cites a study from Johns Hopkins University finding no evidence that the faster pitch clock has increased injuries, attributing the rise in injuries to long-term trends like increased velocity and spin.
The debate over the pitch clock's impact continues, with the MLBPA pushing for further acknowledgment and study of its effects on player health, while MLB defends the rule change as not contributing to the increase in injuries.