Midday Mailbag: Why so many arm injuries?

Every weekday, I’ll be answering at least one Orioles question. If you’d like to submit a question, send it to: Rich@BaltimoreBaseball.com. Questions may be edited for clarity, length and style.

Question: I think I heard Corbin Burnes say because of the speed the pitchers must work due to the pitch clock he feels many of the pitchers’ injuries are a result of not having enough time to recover between pitches. Do others feel that way? From: Peter J. Moran

Answer: Peter, many pitchers do feel that the introduction of the pitch clock and reducing the time between pitches from 20 to 18 seconds with runners on base this season has contributed to more arm injuries.

I don’t think it’s that simple. Velocity is extremely important to teams, and they want pitchers who throw at high speeds, and I think the pitcher’s desire to throw hard and the clubs’ demand for it contribute to a climate where arm injuries are more prevalent. Finding a solution that helps reduce pitchers’ injuries will be difficult.

Question: How come Kyle Stowers isn’t listed in the Orioles’ top 30 prospects? From: Robert Ritter

Answer: Robert, Stowers isn’t listed among the Orioles’ top 30 prospects because he no longer has rookie status. Even though Stowers has 121 at-bats, nine fewer than the 130 at-bat maximum for rookie status, he has 77 days of service time. Rookie status is lost after 45 days on a major league roster.