scholarly journals Performance Analytics and Pitch Metrics as Predictors of Ulnar Collateral Ligament Injury in Major League Baseball Pitchers (128)

2021 ◽  
Vol 9 (10_suppl5) ◽  
pp. 2325967121S0027
Author(s):  
Matthew Fury ◽  
Donna Scarborough ◽  
Luke Oh ◽  
Joshua Wright-Chisem ◽  
Jacob Fury ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Risk Factors ◽  
Logistic Regression ◽  
Injury Risk ◽  
Major League Baseball ◽  
Ulnar Collateral Ligament ◽  
Ligament Injury ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Collateral Ligament ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
Major League

Objectives: Ulnar collateral ligament (UCL) injury is a significant concern in elite throwers, and it is associated with prolonged time away from competition in Major League Baseball (MLB) pitchers. Identifying athletes at higher risk of injury, with the subsequent goal of injury prevention, may positively impact pitcher health while mitigating the significant economic impact of this injury on professional organizations. As technology continues to advance, more granular assessments of performance are becoming possible. In 2015, Major League Baseball introduced StatCast, a spatiotemporal data tracking system that uses a standardized camera system and radar technology, to optically track player and ball movement to measure and quantify game events. This technology allows for further investigation of the science of pitching and provides new frontiers for injury research. Understanding UCL injuries in MLB pitchers may also provide insight into youth pitching injuries. To date, there is a paucity of evidence regarding risk factors of UCL injury in MLB pitchers. Methods: All MLB pitchers who underwent primary UCLR between 2015 and 2019 were identified from publicly available reports. This date range was selected to capture the seasons in which Statcast data was available. Advanced analytics and pitch metrics from the injury season—including velocity, spin rates, and pitch movement from MLB StatCast data—were collected as well as the seasonal data of an uninjured control group. Binomial logistic regression analysis was performed to determine risk factors for UCL injury. Results: Seventy-six MLB pitchers undergoing primary UCL reconstruction were included, and a control group of 95 uninjured pitchers was identified. There was no significant difference in age, height, weight, or BMI between the two cohorts. A logistic regression model was created using the following variables: 4-seam fastball velocity, 4-seam fastball spin rate, slider spin rate, curveball spin rate, strikeout percentage, and wins above replacement (WAR). The model explained 18.4% of the variance and predicted 70.4% of UCL injuries. Increasing WAR was associated with increasing likelihood of subsequent UCL injury (odds ratio [OR] 2.34; 95% CI, 1.08–5.07; p = 0.031). Conclusions: When controlling for fastball velocity and pitch spin rates, MLB pitchers who are more valuable, as indicated by WAR, may be at an elevated risk of UCL injury. While velocity is a known risk factor for UCL injury, this model indicates that other factors, including performance or pitch metrics, may influence single-season injury risk and warrant future investigation in multi-year studies.

scholarly journals Epidemiology and Impact of Prior Musculoskeletal Injury and Orthopaedic Surgery on Draft Rank, Availability, and Short-term Performance in Major League Baseball: A Summary Analysis and Matched Cohort of 1890 Predraft Players

2019 ◽  
Vol 7 (5) ◽  
pp. 232596711984426
Author(s):  
Prem N. Ramkumar ◽  
Sergio M. Navarro ◽  
Bryan C. Luu ◽  
Heather S. Haeberle ◽  
Jaret M. Karnuta ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Surgical Procedures ◽  
Major League Baseball ◽  
Ulnar Collateral Ligament ◽  
Musculoskeletal Injury ◽  
Musculoskeletal Injuries ◽  
Ligament Injury ◽  
Collateral Ligament ◽  
Short Term ◽  
Level Of Evidence ◽  
Major League

Background: Despite the many reports of injury rates in Major League Baseball (MLB), little is known about the epidemiology or impact of prior musculoskeletal injuries and surgical procedures among players entering the MLB draft. Purpose: To determine the (1) epidemiology of all musculoskeletal injuries and surgical procedures among players entering the MLB draft, (2) impact of injury or surgery on draft rank, (3) impact of injury or surgery on availability within the first 2 years of play in the MLB, and (4) impact of injury or surgery on performance. Study Design: Cohort study; Level of evidence, 3. Methods: We retrospectively reviewed 1890 medical records that were completed by MLB team physicians as preparticipation physical assessment prior to the draft from 2014 to 2018. Players were divided into 3 groups: noninjured, nonoperative, and operative. Draft status, overall draft rank, missed games, batting average, and earned run average for the first 2 seasons of MLB play were obtained for all available players. Players across all 3 groups were compared with linear, logistic, and beta regression models, controlling for age, position, injury status, and draft rank. Unadjusted differences among groups were assessed with 1-way analysis of variance. Results: Overall, 750 position players and 1140 pitchers were included, of whom 22.8% had no reported injury history; 48.8% reported injury treated nonoperatively; and 28.5% were treated operatively. The most common predraft injuries were elbow tendinitis (n = 312), ulnar collateral ligament injury (n = 212), and shoulder labral tear (n = 76). The most common predraft treatments were physical therapy (n = 922), ulnar collateral ligament reconstruction (n = 115), and fracture fixation (n = 69). Of the 1890 players, 719 were drafted and played for at least 2 years. No difference was found among noninjured, nonoperative, and operative groups in terms of draft rank, games missed, or performance. Players with a nonoperative injury had a decreased odds ratio of being drafted (0.738; P = .017). Conclusion: More than half of the players entering the MLB reported a history of musculoskeletal injury requiring treatment, and the most commonly affected joints were the shoulder and elbow. Musculoskeletal history did not affect draft rank, short-term availability, or performance for MLB prospects.

scholarly journals Risk Stratification for Ulnar Collateral Ligament Injury in Major League Baseball Players

2016 ◽  
Vol 4 (2) ◽  
pp. 232596711562712 ◽  
Author(s):  
Steven F. DeFroda ◽  
Peter K. Kriz ◽  
Amber M. Hall ◽  
David Zurakowski ◽  
Paul D. Fadale
Keyword(s):  
Risk Stratification ◽  
Major League Baseball ◽  
Ulnar Collateral Ligament ◽  
Ligament Injury ◽  
Collateral Ligament ◽  
Baseball Players ◽  
Major League ◽  
Ulnar Collateral Ligament Injury

Major League Baseball pitch velocity and pitch type associated with risk of ulnar collateral ligament injury

2016 ◽  
Vol 25 (4) ◽  
pp. 671-675 ◽  
Author(s):  
Robert A. Keller ◽  
Nathan E. Marshall ◽  
John-Michael Guest ◽  
Kelechi R. Okoroha ◽  
Edward K. Jung ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Major League Baseball ◽  
Ulnar Collateral Ligament ◽  
Ligament Injury ◽  
Collateral Ligament ◽  
Major League ◽  
Ulnar Collateral Ligament Injury

scholarly journals Reasons for Retirement Following Ulnar Collateral Ligament Reconstruction Among Major League Baseball Pitchers

2017 ◽  
Vol 5 (12) ◽  
pp. 232596711774502 ◽  
Author(s):  
Brandon J. Erickson ◽  
Junyoung Ahn ◽  
Peter N. Chalmers ◽  
Christopher S. Ahmad ◽  
Bernard R. Bach ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Ligament Reconstruction ◽  
Major League Baseball ◽  
Ulnar Collateral Ligament ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Collateral Ligament ◽  
Level Of Evidence ◽  
Elbow Injury ◽  
Major League ◽  
History Of ◽  
Ulnar Collateral Ligament Reconstruction

Background: Ulnar collateral ligament reconstruction (UCLR) has become an increasingly common procedure among Major League Baseball (MLB) pitchers. The long-term effects of this procedure on the career of an MLB pitcher are largely unknown. Purpose/Hypothesis: The purpose of this study was to determine why and when MLB pitchers who underwent UCLR during their careers retired from baseball as compared with controls. We hypothesized that pitchers who underwent UCLR are no more likely than control pitchers to retire from elbow or shoulder problems. Study Design: Cross-sectional study; Level of evidence, 3. Methods: All MLB pitchers who underwent UCLR were identified through publicly available data. A cohort of pitchers who did not undergo UCLR were matched to pitchers with a history of UCLR, based on sex, age, draft year, and draft round. Of those who were no longer pitching in the MLB, the reason for retirement was determined. Reason for retirement and length of career following UCLR (surgical group) and index year (control group) were determined and compared through prior studies via the MLB HITS database, MLB team websites, and publicly available internet-based injury reports. Results: Overall, 153 MLB pitchers who underwent UCLR between 1974 and 2015 are currently retired. Mean ± SD time to retirement was 4.4 ± 4.7 years (range, 0-26 years) after the index year in the control group and 4.4 ± 3.5 years (range, 0-15 years) after surgery in the UCLR group ( P = .388). Patients who were status post-UCLR were significantly more likely to be released during the season (34 of 144, 23.6%) than were players who were not status post-UCLR (14 of 144, 9.7%) ( P = .002). Shoulder injury as a reason for retirement was more common in the control group than the UCLR group ( P = .011). Elbow injury as a reason for retirement was not more common in either group ( P = .379). Leg injury as a reason for retirement was more common in the control group ( P = .013). Performance as a reason for retirement was more common in the UCLR group than the control group ( P < .001). Conclusion: MLB pitchers who have undergone UCLR are no more likely to retire from shoulder or elbow injuries than are those who have not undergone UCLR. MLB career length was similar between pitchers with and without a history of UCLR.

scholarly journals Effects of Ulnar Collateral Ligament Reconstruction on Pitch Selection in Major League Baseball Pitchers

2018 ◽  
Vol 6 (11) ◽  
pp. 232596711881000
Author(s):  
Eric E. Peterson ◽  
Patrick Handwork ◽  
Lonnie Soloff ◽  
Mark S. Schickendantz ◽  
Salvatore J. Frangiamore
Keyword(s):  
Repeated Measures ◽  
Performance Metrics ◽  
Major League Baseball ◽  
Statistical Significance ◽  
Ulnar Collateral Ligament ◽  
Return To Play ◽  
Collateral Ligament ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
Major League ◽  
Before And After

Background: Ulnar collateral ligament (UCL) injuries represent one of the most common impairments to the throwing arm of professional pitchers. Return to play and postoperative performance metrics have been studied extensively, but pitch selection before and after surgery has not been evaluated. Purpose/Hypothesis: This study aimed to characterize the effects of UCL reconstruction on pitch selection in Major League Baseball (MLB) pitchers. We hypothesized that pitchers will throw fewer fastballs and a greater percentage of off-speed pitches after undergoing UCL reconstruction. Study Design: Retrospective cohort study; Level of evidence, 3. Methods: Using publicly available data, we evaluated MLB pitchers who underwent UCL reconstruction between 2003 and 2014. Pitching data were collected for the 2 seasons before UCL reconstruction as well as the first 2 seasons after reconstruction; the data consisted of the total number of pitches thrown and the percentage of fastballs, curveballs, changeups, and sliders. Repeated-measures analysis of variance was used with post hoc least significant difference pairwise t tests to evaluate for statistical significance at P < .05. Results: Overall, 87 pitchers (mean age, 28.2 ± 3.5 years) met all inclusion and exclusion criteria. There was a statistically significant difference in the total number of pitches thrown before and after surgery ( P < .01) as well as in the percentage of fastballs thrown before and after surgery ( P = .02). There was also a statistically significant increase in the use of curveballs between 1 and 2 years postoperatively (7.5% and 8.8%, respectively; P = .01). No other findings were statistically significant. Conclusion: Pitchers who underwent UCL reconstruction were shown to have a statistically significant decline in the percentage of fastballs thrown postoperatively as compared with before injury, with a compensatory trend toward an increased use of curveballs and sliders.

Pitching Performance After Ulnar Collateral Ligament Reconstruction at a Single Institution in Major League Baseball Pitchers

2018 ◽  
Vol 46 (13) ◽  
pp. 3245-3253 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nathan E. Marshall ◽  
Robert A. Keller ◽  
Orr Limpisvasti ◽  
Neal S. ElAttrache
Keyword(s):  
Major League Baseball ◽  
Ulnar Collateral Ligament ◽  
Return To Play ◽  
Control Group ◽  
First Year ◽  
Primary Reconstruction ◽  
Single Institution ◽  
Collateral Ligament ◽  
Minor League ◽  
Major League

Background: Ulnar collateral ligament (UCL) reconstruction (UCLR) has shown reliable rates of return to play, with conflicting results on pitching performance after players’ return. Purpose: To evaluate Major League Baseball (MLB) pitching performance before and after UCLR performed at a single institution. Study Design: Cohort study; Level of evidence, 3. Methods: MLB pitchers (minor league players were excluded) who underwent UCLR at our institution between 2002 and 2016 were identified. Player information and return to play were determined including pitching level (MLB vs minor league) and total number of years played after surgery. Pitching performance statistics were evaluated for 3 years before surgery and for 3 years after returning to play including earned run average (ERA), walks plus hits per inning pitched (WHIP), innings pitched, wins above replacement, runs above replacement, and pitch velocity. Results: A total of 54 MLB pitchers were identified, with 46 primary and 8 revision reconstructions. The mean time to return to play was 13.8 months (primary reconstruction: 13.7 months). The majority returned to play with a 94% return rate (primary reconstruction: 96%), and 80% returned to MLB play (primary reconstruction: 82%). Three primary reconstructions required revision surgery. Pitchers played a mean of 3.2 years in MLB and 4.6 years total after surgery (39% still playing). Pitching workload and performance were maintained or improved after surgery. The preoperative ERA was 4.63 versus 4.13 after returning to play ( P = .268). Fastball velocity ( P = .032), ERA ( P = .003), and WHIP ( P = .001) worsened the first year after surgery and then improved the second year (ERA: 4.63 to 4.06 [ P = .380]; WHIP: 1.35 to 1.32 [ P = .221]; fastball velocity: 91.3 to 91.9 mph [ P = .097]). Compared with a matched control group, pitchers who had UCLR showed improvements or maintained performance after reconstruction including improved ERA ( P = .007), WHIP ( P = .025), and fastball velocity ( P = .006). Conclusion: MLB players experienced a high rate of return to play and previous level of play after UCLR. Pitching workload was maintained after returning to play. Pitching performance initially decreased the first year after returning and then improved or reverted to previous levels after the first year from UCLR.

scholarly journals Effect of Ulnar Collateral Ligament Reconstruction on Pitch Accuracy, Velocity, and Movement in Major League Baseball Pitchers

2020 ◽  
Vol 8 (12) ◽  
pp. 232596712096853
Author(s):  
Braden McKnight ◽  
Nathanael D. Heckmann ◽  
Xiao T. Chen ◽  
Kevork Hindoyan ◽  
J. Ryan Hill ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Repeated Measures ◽  
Major League Baseball ◽  
Ulnar Collateral Ligament ◽  
Poor Performance ◽  
Return To Play ◽  
Collateral Ligament ◽  
Level Of Evidence ◽  
Major League ◽  
The Mean ◽  
Performance Statistics

Background: Ulnar collateral ligament (UCL) reconstruction is frequently performed on Major League Baseball (MLB) pitchers. Previous studies have investigated the effects of UCL reconstruction on fastball and curveball velocity, but no study to date has evaluated its effect on fastball accuracy or curveball movement among MLB pitchers. Purpose/Hypothesis: The primary purpose of this study was to determine the effects of UCL reconstruction on fastball accuracy, fastball velocity, and curveball movement in MLB pitchers. Our hypothesis was that MLB pitchers who underwent UCL reconstruction would return to their presurgery fastball velocity, fastball accuracy, and curveball movement. The secondary purpose of this study was to determine which factors, if any, were predictive of poor performance after UCL reconstruction. Study Design: Case-control study; Level of evidence, 3. Methods: MLB pitchers who underwent UCL reconstruction surgery between 2011 and 2012 were identified. Performance data including fastball velocity, fastball accuracy, and curveball movement were evaluated 1 year preoperatively and up to 3 years of play postoperatively. A repeated-measures analysis of variance with a Tukey-Kramer post hoc test was used to determine statistically significant changes in performance over time. Characteristic factors and presurgery performance statistics were compared between poor performers (>20% decrease in fastball accuracy) and non—poor performers. Results: We identified 56 pitchers with a total of 230,995 individual pitches for this study. After exclusion for lack of return to play (n = 14) and revision surgery (n = 3), 39 pitchers were included in the final analysis. The mean presurgery fastball pitch-to-target distance was 32.9 cm. There was a statistically significant decrease in fastball accuracy after reconstruction, which was present up to 3 years postoperatively ( P = .007). The mean presurgery fastball velocity of 91.82 mph did not significantly change after surgery ( P = .194). The mean presurgery curveball movement of 34.49 cm vertically and 5.89 cm horizontally also did not change significantly ( P = .937 and .161, respectively). Conclusion: Fastball accuracy among MLB pitchers significantly decreased after UCL reconstruction for up to 3 years postoperatively. There were no statistically significant differences in characteristic factors or presurgery performance statistics between poor and non--poor performers.

Effect of Younger Starting Pitching Age on Humeral Retrotorsion in Baseball Pitchers With an Ulnar Collateral Ligament Injury

2021 ◽  
pp. 036354652199080
Author(s):  
Sean M. Kennedy ◽  
Joseph P. Hannon ◽  
John E. Conway ◽  
Kalyssa Creed ◽  
J. Craig Garrison
Keyword(s):  
Ulnar Collateral Ligament ◽  
Ligament Injury ◽  
Collateral Ligament ◽  
Level Of Evidence ◽  
Baseball Players ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
Ulnar Collateral Ligament Injury ◽  
Baseball Pitchers ◽  
Group 2 ◽  
Group 1

Background: Increased humeral retrotorsion (HRT) has been found to be a risk factor for ulnar collateral ligament (UCL) tears in baseball players. Recent work has demonstrated the age of 11 years as a potential watershed age for HRT development. Hypothesis: In a group of baseball pitchers with UCL injuries, athletes who started pitching before the age of 10 years will demonstrate significantly more dominant limb humeral retrotorsion (DHRT) when compared with a group of baseball pitchers who reported starting pitching at 10 years or older. Study Design: Cohort study; Level of evidence, 3. Methods: A total of 84 baseball pitchers with a diagnosed UCL injury were divided into 2 groups based upon the age at which participants began pitching: 33 players reporting a starting pitching age of 10 years or older (group 1) were compared with 51 baseball pitchers reporting a starting pitching age under 10 years (group 2). Participants’ DHRT and nondominant limb humeral retrotorsion (NDHRT) were measured using diagnostic ultrasound. Independent t tests were run to compare mean group differences of all patient data, starting pitching age, age at time of injury, DHRT, NDHRT, and humeral retrotorsion difference (HRTdiff). Results: There were no significant differences between groups with regard to age at time of injury, height, weight, or playing years’ experience. There was a statistically significant difference in the participant-reported starting pitching age. Significant differences between groups were noted for DHRT (group 1: 20.0°± 9.4°, group 2: 14.5°± 10.3°, P = .015) and for NDHRT (group 1: 38.6°± 8.8°, group 2: 32.9°± 9.5°, P = .007). No significant differences between groups were found for HRTdiff ( P = .940). Conclusion: Baseball pitchers with a UCL injury who reported a starting pitching age younger than 10 years demonstrated significantly greater DHRT and NDHRT when compared with UCL-injured baseball pitchers who reported a starting pitching age at 10 years or later. The results of this study demonstrate that a younger starting pitching age results in increased HRT in players with UCL injuries.

scholarly journals Should We Limit Innings Pitched Following Ulnar Collateral Ligament Reconstruction in Major League Baseball Pitchers?

2016 ◽  
Vol 4 (7_suppl4) ◽  
pp. 2325967116S0010
Author(s):  
Brandon J. Erickson ◽  
Gregory Cvetanovich ◽  
Bernard R. Bach ◽  
Charles A. Bush-Joseph ◽  
Nikhil N. Verma ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Ligament Reconstruction ◽  
Major League Baseball ◽  
Ulnar Collateral Ligament ◽  
Collateral Ligament ◽  
Major League ◽  
Baseball Pitchers ◽  
Ulnar Collateral Ligament Reconstruction

Performance outcomes after medial ulnar collateral ligament reconstruction in Major League Baseball positional players

2018 ◽  
Vol 27 (2) ◽  
pp. 282-290 ◽  
Author(s):  
John P. Begly ◽  
Michael S. Guss ◽  
Theodore S. Wolfson ◽  
Siddharth A. Mahure ◽  
Andrew S. Rokito ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Ligament Reconstruction ◽  
Major League Baseball ◽  
Ulnar Collateral Ligament ◽  
Performance Outcomes ◽  
Collateral Ligament ◽  
Major League ◽  
Ulnar Collateral Ligament Reconstruction
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