Youth Inc Recommends: Everything to know about Elbow Injuries in Baseball

Baseball is a game of repetition. But for pitchers, that repetition can come at a cost. Elbow injuries, especially among youth and high school players, are on the rise at an alarming rate. With year-round play, high pitch counts, and pressure to throw harder earlier, many young arms are breaking down before they ever get a shot at the next level. 

Staying healthy takes more than rest days and ice packs. To help athletes, parents, and coaches understand what’s really going on, the Youth Inc. staff dug into expert research, medical insights, and recent reporting.

Here are nine great resources to help you understand the how prominent elbow injuries have become in Baseball and best practices to avoid elbow injuries.

Why Are So Many MLB Pitchers Blowing Out Their Elbows? 

What it is: This video from Tread Athletics, led by Ben Brewster, explores the rise in MLB elbow injuries and why it’s more than just a velocity problem. It unpacks key factors like workload, fatigue, tissue strength and the performance pressures pitchers face. 

Why we like it: This video brings clarity to a complicated issue with a grounded, science-backed approach. By shifting the focus from blame to understanding, it offers both players and coaches a practical framework for managing workload, preventing injury and navigating the high-performance demands of modern pitching. 

Elbow Problems in Little League Baseball Players 

What it is: This article from Johns Hopkins Medicine outlines common elbow injuries in youth baseball players, particularly “Little League Elbow,” and explains how repetitive throwing can lead to long-term damage if not managed properly. It covers causes, symptoms, treatment options and key prevention strategies. 

Why we like it: It’s a clear and practical guide for parents and coaches trying to protect young arms. By breaking down the mechanics behind overuse injuries and offering simple ways to prevent them, this piece helps keep the focus on healthy development. 

Houston’s Youth Baseball’s Ugly Secret: The Rise in Arm Injuries in Youth Players 

What it is: This article from The Houston Chronicle looks at the growing number of arm injuries in youth baseball, where year-round play and early specialization are leading to a spike in overuse injuries and surgeries. It features insight from doctors, coaches and parents navigating this alarming trend. 

Why we like it: It is a brutally honest but necessary look at what’s happening on the ground level of youth baseball. By spotlighting real stories and expert opinions, the article makes a strong case for smarter training, better communication and putting long-term health ahead of short-term results. 

Arm Pain Injury? Dos and Don’ts for Baseball Players 

What it is: This video offers a practical guide for parents, coaches and players on how to handle arm pain in youth baseball, drawing from the firsthand experience of a former pro pitcher who’s undergone multiple arm surgeries.

Why we like it: It’s honest, clear, and built on real experience. Instead of fear, the video gives families a grounded roadmap for protecting young arms, emphasizing communication, caution and a long-term view that puts health above short-term wins. 

Why Are So Many Pitchers Hurt in 2024 

What it is: This video from VeloU tackles the rise in early season pitching injuries, pointing to poor workload management, especially in cold weather, as a major cause.

Why we like it: It’s a blunt but necessary callout of a widespread issue. By focusing on the disconnect between preparation and expectations, the video challenges coaches and programs to take responsibility for how they ramp up arms because recovery starts with better planning, not just better rehab. 

MLB Team Physicians Sound Alarm on Pitching Injuries 

What it is: This article from The Athletic investigates the spike in elbow injuries among MLB pitchers, tying it to the league’s velocity obsession and the physical toll of modern pitching demands.

Why we like it: It’s a thorough, well-reported deep dive into one of the biggest issues facing the game today. By connecting the dots between training trends, injury data, and player experiences, it helps make sense of the growing injury wave and why real change may take more than just better medical care. 

Dr. James Andrews on MLB’s Injury Rise and Trickle Down Impact 

What it is: This article discusses Dr. James Andrews’ observations on the alarming rise of elbow injuries in Major League Baseball (MLB) and their roots in youth baseball. Dr. Andrews highlights that young pitchers, some as young as 16 or 17, are throwing at velocities around 90 mph, which their underdeveloped ligaments aren't equipped to handle, leading to increased injuries. 

Why we like it: The article sheds light on the critical insights from a renowned sports surgeon, emphasizing the long-term risks associated with prioritizing velocity over proper development in young athletes. It serves as a wake-up call for parents, coaches, and players to prioritize health and sustainable growth over the pursuit of high-speed performance at an early age. 

Young Baseball Pitchers Increasingly Seeking Elbow Surgery Once Reserved For Professionals 

What it is: This Palm Beach Post article takes a hard look at why Tommy John surgeries are now more common in youth pitchers than professionals. It explores the pressure to throw harder, play year-round, and specialize too early—long before arms are physically ready. 

Why we like it: It’s a wake-up call built on facts, not fear. The article blends data, expert insights, and real stories to show how early overuse can lead to serious consequences. Instead of pointing fingers, it encourages a smarter, longer-term approach to keeping young pitchers healthy and in the game. 

John Smoltz Explains Why MLB’s Top Pitchers Are Getting Hurt 

What it is: This episode of Flippin’ Bats features a raw and passionate conversation with Hall of Famer John Smoltz on the rise of arm injuries in MLB. Smoltz argues that the modern obsession with velocity and spin, driven by analytics and incentives, is the root cause and that the baseball ecosystem is failing to protect pitchers. 

Why we like it: It’s not sugar-coated. Smoltz brings decades of experience and pulls no punches, challenging the industry to rethink how it develops and rewards pitchers. The conversation shines a light on how chasing short-term performance is costing players long-term health.