Atlanta Braves coaches to blame for Tucker Davidson injury

It was clear that something was not right with Atlanta Braves pitcher Tucker Davidson from the beginning of his outing on Tuesday. His fastball did not have its usual velocity, and his slider did not have its usual bit. Davidson lasted just 2.1 innings against Boston, allowing five runs on five hits, including two homers, and a walk. While he did strike out four batters, he clearly was not himself.

Those suspicions that something was wrong were confirmed after the game. Davidson was placed on the Injured List with forearm tightness, an injury that is usually code for “Tommy John surgery is coming.”

Atlanta Braves coaches asleep at the wheel with Tucker Davidson

It is impossible to prevent injuries from happening. These days, with pitchers throwing harder than ever, arm injuries are becoming far more commonplace. Every team has an IL littered with pitchers whose arms have broken down under the quest for more velocity.

But there are warning signs for those paying attention. Davidson was sitting in the low 90s with his fastball when he usually averages 96 MPH, a number he reached once. He was deliberate on the mound, taking time between pitches as he kept tapping his arm and went to the rosin bag numerous times to attempt to stretch out his hand.

There is no telling when this injury began bothering him, as Davidson clearly was not himself from the start of the game. Likewise, there is no guarantee that removing him immediately would have prevented anything from happening.

However, it is the job of the coaching staff to notice when something is wrong. Even if Davidson indicated otherwise, seeing that loss in velocity, the body language on the mound, and his constant flexing and tapping of the arm, manager Brian Snitker and pitching coach Rick Kranitz had to realize Davidson was dealing with something in his arm. It was clear to anyone watching the game at home, and it was clear to Red Sox announcer Dennis Eckersley.

It should have been clear to the Braves’ coaches as well. The fact that it was not, and that it took as long as it did to remove Davidson from the game, has to be frustrating. And that is the problem – that the Braves were unable to realize that something was wrong until it was too late.

Tucker Davidson is currently on the Injured List with forearm tightness. The Atlanta Braves coaching staff should have realized something was wrong.