This article takes a closer look at a 2026 study that claimed MLB pitcher injuries declined after the introduction of the pitch clock, arguing that the study’s design may have painted an overly optimistic picture. By only including the 200 highest-volume pitchers each season, the research excluded many of the early and severe injuries that are most relevant to understanding arm health, while also failing to account for pitch velocity—one of the strongest known predictors of elbow injury. The takeaway is not that the pitch clock is safe or dangerous, but that coaches, parents, and players should look beyond headlines and evaluate how studies are designed before using them to guide real-world decisions.
