Atlanta Braves Led MLB In Tommy John Surgeries With Roger McDowell

Jun 2, 2015; Phoenix, AZ, USA; Atlanta Braves pitching coach Roger McDowell against the Arizona Diamondbacks at Chase Field. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports
Jun 2, 2015; Phoenix, AZ, USA; Atlanta Braves pitching coach Roger McDowell against the Arizona Diamondbacks at Chase Field. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports

On Friday morning it was reported that the Braves will not exercise their option on pitching coach Roger McDowell’s contract after he has been their pitching coach for the past 11 seasons.

This came as no surprise. What probably spurred the Atlanta Braves‘ decision to let him go was the lack of performance of the young pitching staff this season. We saw throughout the year guys getting called up and sent back down and getting called back up again. All of this certainly does not fall on one person, but the buck has to stop somewhere.

With Roger as Atlanta Braves Pitching Coach, Braves Led MLB In Tommy John.

What is perhaps most concerning of all, along with the lack of improvement in many young pitchers this season, is the fact that the Atlanta Braves lead all of Major League Baseball in Tommy John surgeries since 2005.  Indeed, they also have had the most “TJ survivors” in the organization overall (64) other than the Dodgers (65) with only Texas (61) also exceeding 50 (counts multiple surgeries).

Should one man be blamed for such a figure? Goodness, no. But a great pitching coach teaches sound pitching mechanics and effective conditioning techniques. It is of my opinion that if a pitching coach is doing these things well, there will be less arm injuries.

More from Tomahawk Take

Pitching injuries are an epidemic across the sport of baseball. This is well known. It’s been written about extensively in recent years and it’s a popular and much needed ongoing conversation. A lot of the problem can be contributed to how kids are growing up and developing, how much they are throwing, and how hard they are throwing.

Overusing pitchers can certainly be a problem, what’s equally important is pitching mechanics. A relief pitcher should not get injured on their own accord. These days, in the era of pitch count and specialty relief pitchers, pitchers are not overused, they are under taught. With the Atlanta Braves, the buck has to stop somewhere.

Roger McDowell is well liked among almost everybody in any clubhouse anywhere. He’ll get hired by another team. But if you’re an organization who is building an incredibly bright future on the backs of young pitching, this is a very smart move by the Atlanta Braves.

Next: Braves will not be bringing back Roger

Here’s a partial list of Atlanta Braves pitchers who have undergone Tommy John Surgery since 2005: