Tweet
New York Mets' Mike Pelfrey unconcerned about theory linking jump in innings to injury, performance issues
The general rule, according to Verducci's research, is that pitchers ages 25 and under whose total innings increase by 30 or more are at risk -- not in the year they make the jump, but in the following year.
How much of a risk? Of the 24 pitchers he red-flagged over the past three seasons, 16 were injured and only one remained healthy and lowered his ERA.
Pelfrey was among the pitchers Verducci red-flagged going into this season. But the Mets believe his size, strength and relatively smooth delivery make him likely to absorb the innings jump with no problem.
"I understand the Verducci effect, but you have to look at the individuals," Mets pitching coach Dan Warthen said. "That's a conglomerate of people. You look at Pelfrey, he's 6-foot-7 and has a big, strong body -- not a 6-foot-7 frail individual. This kid can wear and tear."
The general rule, according to Verducci's research, is that pitchers ages 25 and under whose total innings increase by 30 or more are at risk -- not in the year they make the jump, but in the following year.
How much of a risk? Of the 24 pitchers he red-flagged over the past three seasons, 16 were injured and only one remained healthy and lowered his ERA.
Pelfrey was among the pitchers Verducci red-flagged going into this season. But the Mets believe his size, strength and relatively smooth delivery make him likely to absorb the innings jump with no problem.
"I understand the Verducci effect, but you have to look at the individuals," Mets pitching coach Dan Warthen said. "That's a conglomerate of people. You look at Pelfrey, he's 6-foot-7 and has a big, strong body -- not a 6-foot-7 frail individual. This kid can wear and tear."
Comment