Red Sox manager Alex Cora has theory on root cause of MLB elbow injuries

There is a concerning trend around MLB early into the 2024 season regarding the health of pitchers around the league, with many needing Tommy John surgery or landing on the injured list with elbow-related injuries.

Red Sox starter Nick Pivetta joined this group on Tuesday when he was placed on the 15-day IL with a right flexor strain – an injury that is often a precursor to further UCL damage and possible Tommy John surgery.

Some are pointing toward the implementation of the pitch clock as the reason for the sudden spike in injuries, but Red Sox manager Alex Cora offered a different theory while appearing on WEEI’s “Jones & Mego” on Wednesday.

“Obviously, we have to do more research, but the offseason,” Cora said. “We’ve got guys who finish the season, they go to another facility, they throw bullpens and they don’t take time off. I do believe that there’s part of the human element that you need a month off of all this stuff, a month off of working out and a month off of throwing. I really believe that.”

Cora’s comments are reflective of a recent Twitter thread from Oakland A’s pitcher Alex Wood , who also suggested year-round throwing was the root cause of the problem.

Many pitchers spend the offseason working on increasing their velocity and spin rates, which Cora says he understands, but preached balance in the practice.

“I can’t imagine throwing 180 innings and not having a month off, a month and a half off,” he added. “We love these guys and want them to get better, but at the same time there has to be balance. … People are forgetting the resting part of it is part of the equation. Have to be smart about it.”