The Tommy John Epidemic in Baseball: A Growing Concern for Young Pitchers The news that Brody Bumila, the 18 year old third round pick of the Texas Rangers, will require Tommy John surgery is a stark reminder of the growing concern surrounding the health and well being of young baseball pitchers.
Since 2000, the number of Tommy John surgeries has increased by over 500%, with many experts attributing this surge to the emphasis on throwing velocity and pitch count.
Young pitchers like Bumila are being pushed to their limits at an increasingly early age.