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MLB has major issue outside of COVID-19

By David Hill

ARLINGTON, TEXAS - JULY 26: Corey Kluber #28 of the Texas Rangers pitches against the Colorado Rockies in the top of the first inning at Globe Life Field on July 26, 2020 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Tom Pennington/Getty Images)
ARLINGTON, TEXAS - JULY 26: Corey Kluber #28 of the Texas Rangers pitches against the Colorado Rockies in the top of the first inning at Globe Life Field on July 26, 2020 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Tom Pennington/Getty Images) /
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There are major issues facing MLB outside of how teams, and the league, have handled the ongoing pandemic to this point.

It was understood that the pandemic would cause issues with the 2020 MLB season. That was seen firsthand after the opening weekend, with the Marlins, and subsequently three other teams, seeing their schedules being blown apart. Miami had 18 players test positive for COVID-19, leaving their viability for the season in question.

But there have been other concerns around the league. Due to the quick restart in summer camp, and the desire to play as many games as possible in a short amount of time, pitchers are falling like dominoes.

One could see this coming. As we enter the second week of the abridged MLB season, teams would be in their fifth week of spring training. Pitchers were not ready for the start of the regular season, especially when every game counts all the more due to the condensed schedule. Teams cannot afford a slow start with just 60 games.

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Unsurprisingly, there has been a major rash of injuries for pitchers throughout the league. The likes of Corey Kluber, Anthony DeSclafani, and Jose Leclerc have been sidelined with teres major injuries, which are considered somewhat rare. Chances are, it is not a coincidence that these injuries are occurring at a higher rate this season.

The rash of injuries are not affecting just a player or two either. The Houston Astros bullpen is Ryan Pressly – who has had his own injury issues this season – and a collection of rookies. Colorado lost Wade Davis and Scott Oberg from an already shaky bullpen.

The numbers are tangible. Injury numbers are far higher than usual. Even the expanded rosters, and extra pitchers in the bullpen, cannot mitigate this problem. It is an issue around MLB, one that the league probably should have seen coming. But cramming the season into just under two and a half months was more important than protecting the players.

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Major League Baseball has a problem. But it is one that they are not paying any attention to.

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